JOINT STATEMENT ON STRENGTHENING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN VIET NAM AND AUSTRALIA

1. On the occasion of the State Visit to Australia by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam, the Leaders of Viet Nam and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation on the basis of the Viet Nam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Joint Statement on Enhancing Economic Resilience, Adaptation, and Recovery.

2. The Leaders welcomed the substantive progress in science, technology, and innovation cooperation, which has contributed to making this sector one of the pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Recognizing their complementary strengths and the immense potential for cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, as well as the pivotal role of these fields as key drivers of sustainable economic growth as well as enhancement of productivity, resilience, and competitiveness, the Leaders agreed to promote science, technology, and innovation cooperation to address shared challenges and deliver long-term prosperity for both nations.

3. The Leaders welcomed the Australia–Viet Nam Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation Initiative (AVSTICI), which has facilitated the implementation of joint research projects involving universities, research institutes, and businesses from both sides. The Leaders also welcomed the launch of Phase II of the Australia–Viet Nam Strategic Technology Centre (AVSTC)—an exemplary partnership model to advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, initially focusing on breakthrough applications of 5G and related foundational technologies.

4. The Leaders noted the effective contributions of existing cooperation programs in strengthening digital and technological capabilities, including initiatives promoting the application of digital solutions in agriculture, enhancing climate change resilience and sustainable development, as well as the development of Guidelines for Responsible Artificial Intelligence Use within the framework of the bilateral development partnership. Viet Nam welcomed Australia's continued provision of scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to support Viet Nam in enhancing the quality of its human resources, toward its goal of becoming a regional hub for science, technology, and innovation.

5. The Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Digital Economy, contributing to driving the digital transformation of both economies, and acknowledged the positive progress in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Cyber Space and Critical Technology.

6. The Leaders highly appreciated the strong development of cooperation among universities, research institutes, and enterprises of both countries, recognizing the role of this partnership in promoting excellence in scientific research, technological innovation, and the commercialization of research outcomes. The Leaders encouraged further engagement among governments, academia, and the business sector to accelerate the translation of research findings into practical applications and commercial value. Both sides also acknowledged the vital role of the startup ecosystem in fostering innovation in both countries.

7. The Leaders agreed to step up cooperation in critical and emerging technology sectors, aligned with the priorities, strengths, and capacities of both countries. In this spirit, both sides agreed to explore opportunities to expand joint research, enhance links between innovation ecosystems, and roll out new cooperative initiatives.

8. The Leaders welcomed the growing number of Vietnamese and Australian universities engaging in cooperation, noting the significant contributions of these partnerships in promoting scientific, research, and technological cooperation. The Leaders also commended the expansion of doctoral training cooperation under Viet Nam's Project 89, recognizing the role of these cooperative programs in building research capacity, developing human resources, and strengthening linkages between higher education institutions and research organizations of both countries.

9. The Leaders recognized the importance of strengthening connectivity between the innovation ecosystems of Viet Nam and Australia. Both sides welcomed the Tech Connect Forum, which brings together representatives from leading agencies, organizations, and enterprises of both countries across science and technology, education and human resource development, business, and investment. Initiatives such as Tech Connect contribute to fostering future partnerships and investment opportunities by enhancing connections among key stakeholders within the innovation ecosystems of both countries.

10. The Leaders tasked relevant agencies to continue implementing cooperation deliverables consistent with this Statement and the Leaders' Joint Statement on Deepening the Viet Nam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.