Vice President Phạm Ngọc Linh welcomes First Counsellor of EU Delegation to Vietnam

Also attending were Mr. Le Cong Luong - Deputy Secretary General, Head of the Science, Technology and Environment Department and representative of VUSTA's Department for International Cooperation.

Meeting overview

At the meeting, Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh expressed pleasure to welcome the EU Delegation at VUSTA's headquarters and expect a fruitful discussion on key cooperation activities of both sides.

Jesús Laviña, Deputy Head of Cooperation, thanked for VUSTA leaders’s warmly welcome. He spoke on the implementation of the 2021-2024 EU Multi-Indicative Programme (MIP) and plan to host the EU Grant Beneficiary Forum in Vietnam.

According to Mr. Laviña, Vietnam’s 2021-2027 MIP will address crucial issues for the country while promoting key areas of EU external engagement, notably green and digital transition, decent and inclusive jobs, as well as good governance, the rule of law, human rights and institutional reforms. A strong EU engagement in Vietnam will allow the EU to promote sustainable and fair environmental and social norms, increase investment opportunities for EU companies, engage with non-state actors and build on the ongoing cooperation in climate action.

EU’s bilateral cooperation with Vietnam focuses on three priority areas: Climate-responsive digital circular economy; Responsible entrepreneurship and enhanced skills for decent employment; Strengthening governance, rule of law and institutional reform. The EU is also seeking and prioritizing cooperation opportunities in the field of gender and women-led development programs.

Mr.Laviña shared the EU Grant Beneficiary Forum in Vietnam, which is expected to held in the first half of June 2024 with the participation of around 150 delegates who are partners interested in EU grants in Vietnam.

Mr. Laviña highly appreciated VUSTA's spirit of win-win cooperation, openness and sincerity and affirmed that VUSTA is one of the most important players in implementing EU programs in Vietnam. EU hopes to receive support from VUSTA in implementing MIP and organizing the Grant Beneficiary Forum in Vietnam.

Deputy Head of Cooperation, Jesús Laviñashares his thoughts during the session

VUSTA Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh thanked Mr. Laviña for his shared information and stated that the EU's prioritized issues such as climate change, sustainable development, circular economy are also prioritized by the Vietnamese government who has issued numerous policies to promote sustainable development in Vietnam. As an organization representing the society of Vietnamese science and technology intellectuals, VUSTA consists of over 500 affiliated science-technology organizations, including approximately 150 member organizations operating in the fields of science and technology, nature and social sciences. VUSTA is also the only organization State-assigned to provide social consultation, criticism and assessment. Therefore, VUSTA and its members pay special attention to, specialize in and have implemented numerous activities engaging EU prioritizes programs. VUSTA endorses partners and leading science and technology experts for the sake of cooperating with the EU in various fields.

VUSTArepresentativesatthe meeting withtheEU Delegation

Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh greatly approved of holding the EU Grant Beneficiary Forum in Vietnam, stating that VUSTA is ready to cooperate with EU in organizing the forum. It is necessary for two sides to discuss further on preparation of the forum.

During the session, VUSTA’s International Cooperation Department’s representative also shared more information on VUSTA member organizations receiving grant aid and projects being implemented by VUSTA’s members.

Mr. Laviña, on behalf of the Delegation, thanked VUSTA for the positive feedback and information, having appreciated the coordination between VUSTA and its members, as well as VUSTA's role in guiding and supporting said members.

By the end of the meeting, both sides had agreed to continue to exchange information and work together to promote cooperation between VUSTA and the European Union in the immediate future.

Delegates take commemorative photos