VAST Vice President Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang meet delegation of Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

04/12/2023

On November 27, 2023, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) held a meeting with the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation delegation led by Minister Luciana Santos. Welcoming the delegation was Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang, Vice President, Dr. Le Quynh Lien, Director of International Cooperation Department and representative leaders of several institutes under VAST.

This meeting is held in the context that Vietnam’s Prime Minister has recently made an official visit to Brazil in September 2023. At the Vietnam-Brazil Joint Statement, the leaders of the two countries recognized the untapped potential in science and technology cooperation, and emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation in research, development and innovation. Moreover, on November 16, 2023, Brazilian Ambassador Marco Farrani visited VAST and discussed about establishing a cooperative relationship in scientific and technological research.

On that basis, Vice President Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang discussed proposals to cooperate in fields such as biotechnology and information technology (including artificial intelligence), materials science (including semiconductor materials), biodiversity conservation, space technology, quantum technology, technology for health care, pharmaceuticals, etc. Besides, the two sides can implement scientific seminars and research and development projects in areas of common interest.

Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang also hopes that the two sides will have concrete details on potential cooperative activities in 2024 on the occasion of the 35^th anniversary of Vietnam - Brazil cooperative relations and the visit to Vietnam of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

VAST Vice President - Le Truong Giang and Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation - Ms. Luciana Santos, discuss at the meeting

Minister Luciana Santos thanked VAST for welcoming and holding the working session. She said that Vietnam and Brazil are two countries with many similarities, and science and technology play an important role in the development of each country. She also mentioned the President of Brazil frequently talked about the importance of science, technology and innovation in Brazil's foreign policy.

The Minister emphasized that semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation are among Brazil's priority areas, and the government has invested in establishing the state-owned Ceitec company to produce semiconductor chips. She learned that VAST is also very interested in these fields, so cooperation is helpful and necessary. In addition, the two sides can build joint cooperation projects in fields such as physics, biodiversity, climate, mathematics, space science, computer science, natural disaster management, energy and new materials.

During the meeting, representatives of a number of units from both sides discussed further the research situation as well as the needs and desires for cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both sides expressed desire to establish cooperative relationships soon to promote the development of science and technology, and contribute to bringing benefits to both countries.