Prime Minister visits Australia’s largest science and research organization

Pham said that CSIRO has been on the right track with its studies on digital transformation, green transition, innovation and agriculture, among others, which are in line with Viet Nam’s development policies.

He stressed that cooperation in science-technology, innovation, climate change response, digital transformation and green transition is boundless.

The Government leader took the occasion to call upon the two sides to fully tap the US$1.3 billion fund of Australia for investment with ASEAN in order to implement practical and specific programs and projects.

The Government chief promised that Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities would compose projects to spur cooperation with CSIRO. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Government will compose mechanisms and policies to ensure that cooperation programs are carried out smoothly.

In reply, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts said as sci-tech and innovation cooperation programs are a pillar in the bilateral relations, which has been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Australian Government committed to enhancing the sci-tech cooperation with Viet Nam through specific projects.

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said that Australia’s innovation programs managed by CSIRO have helped Vietnam develop its fisheries, plantation and modern production sectors on the basis of the commercialization of the research results.

For his part, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that cooperation with CSIRO helps Viet Nam handle challenges in agriculture that the country is facing.

Viet Nam hopes to receive CSIRO’s support to develop low carbon emission tra fish and shrimp farming models, he added.

On the occasion, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat and CSIRO Chief Executive Doug Hilton signed a memorandum of understanding on sci-tech and innovation cooperation.

CSIRO is one of the world’s largest mission-driven science and research organizations. It was established in 1916. So far, the organization has 5,500 staffs and 57 establishments across Australia and representative offices in the U.S., Chile, France, Singapore, Indonesia and Viet Nam./.