Seminar on Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg contributing to Vietnam-EU science, technology and innovation cooperation

Overview of the seminar on Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg contributing to Vietnam-EU science, technology and innovation cooperation.

Implementing the direction of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation; in order to deploy economic diplomacy to contribute to promoting science, technology and innovation development in the period of 2024-2026, on the morning of January 19, the Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union organized the "Seminar on Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg contributing to Vietnam-EU science, technology and innovation cooperation".

This is a follow-up activity to two seminars organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium/Luxembourg on December 21, 2024 and January 10, 2025 with experts and intellectuals in several EU countries and Vietnam with the theme of mobilizing resources of experts, intellectuals, and the Vietnamese community abroad to contribute to national development and promote Vietnam-EU cooperation.

Attending the event on January 19 were 140 Vietnamese experts and intellectuals who are studying, researching and working at leading research institutes, universities and enterprises in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The discussion focused on two major issues: Potential areas of science, technology and innovation that can promote cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg; and what and how overseas experts and intellectuals in the above fields can contribute.

Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao spoke at the seminar.

Chairing the discussion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union Nguyen Van Thao gave an introductory speech, reviewing new developments in the relationship between Vietnam and the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg in recent times, and orienting discussions on cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation between Vietnam and the EU in general, and between Vietnam and Belgium and Luxembourg in particular in the new period.

The Ambassador emphasized that the EU region has a large number of Vietnamese experts and intellectuals who have studied, lived and worked there. They always look towards their homeland and expressed their desire to make practical contributions to the country and to the scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam and the EU.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thao called on and expressed his wish that experts, intellectuals, and the Vietnamese community in the EU region contribute their knowledge and experience and participate in the country's efforts to create breakthroughs in innovation, develop science and technology, and contribute to promoting cooperative relations between Vietnam and the host country where overseas Vietnamese live.

Delegates presented and contributed ideas at the seminar.

At the seminar, Vietnamese experts and intellectuals had lively discussions, demonstrating deep expertise in various fields, as well as their enthusiasm and desire to contribute knowledge, intelligence and efforts to promote cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as within the entire EU.

Experts suggest focusing on a number of science and technology fields in which Belgium and Luxembourg have strengths, hold technology, and Vietnam is in need to serve the country's development.

Specifically, with Belgium, it is necessary to focus on promoting cooperation in biotechnology - a strength of Belgium in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and healthcare; semiconductor chip technology, cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation; renewable energy, especially hydrogen; technology on small-scale nuclear reactors and the application of nuclear technology in medicine and treatment...

For Luxembourg, it is the development of financial markets, financial services, especially green finance, telecommunications technology and space satellites, digital transformation, AI and AI applications in financial services and education...

In each field, experts and intellectuals wish to participate and contribute from the stages of policy and strategy consulting, building a legal environment to facilitate scientific development, sharing updated information on the latest knowledge and technology, being ready to act as a bridge between Vietnam and local partners, and being able to directly participate in cooperation projects.

At the seminar, Vietnamese experts and intellectuals discussed enthusiastically, demonstrating deep expertise in various fields.

Experts and intellectuals expressed their excitement at the recent drastic and correct directions of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, and also affirmed that Vietnam needs to take advantage of human resources such as experts and intellectuals studying abroad and the large number of Vietnamese students studying abroad, especially in leading universities.

To continue implementing these activities, based on contributions from overseas Vietnamese experts and intellectuals, the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium/Luxembourg will build a database of overseas Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg, classify proposals and recommendations by field and discussion topic, and exchange with relevant domestic agencies to promote these cooperation activities in Vietnam-EU relations in the coming time.