Coordinating Committee for the Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center convenes 35th meeting

On the afternoon of November 15, the 35^th plenary session of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee for the Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center (VRTC) convened in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Defense Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam Subcommittee, and Mr. Konstantin Ilyich Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Subcommittee, co-chaired the meeting.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien at the session.

Upon hearing the report from the Co-General Directors of VRTC on its activities in 2024, both sides praised the Center's achievements in scientific and technological endeavors, as well as its capacity-building efforts throughout the year.

Mr. Konstantin Ilyich Mogilevsky at the session.

Speaking at the session, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Government, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare for their attention and support in promoting research directions, particularly research on ensuring the psychological and physiological health of Vietnamese military pilots and submariners. He also acknowledged their efforts in promoting technology transfer within the framework of VRTC, including the transfer of the second mobile testing vehicle, cooperation in establishing a level-3 biosafety laboratory, and training programs for Vietnamese personnel.

The joint statements issued by the heads of both Governments in October 2021 and June 2024 highlighted a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation, fostering development, and elevating the VRTC into a model and symbol of bilateral collaboration on par with regional and international standards. On June 30, during the Standing Committee session of the Coordinating Committee, the Co-Chairmen approved the "Development Strategy for the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center to 2035." This strategy serves as a crucial legal foundation, offering clear direction and enabling the Center's advancement in the years ahead.

At the meeting, Mr. Mogilevsky acknowledged the significant scientific and practical achievements from the 34^th session in November 2023 which have made meaningful contributions to military, defense, economic development, and ecological protection. He also highlighted the successful coordination between both sides in 2024 to accomplish their shared objectives. Underscoring the growing importance of the VRTC in scientific and technological cooperation, Mr. Mogilevskiy emphasized the joint development and agreement on the Center's scientific, technological, and application research program for the 2025-2029 period.

Both sides agreed that in 2025, efforts should focus on accelerating the implementation of key initiatives, including: advancing the development of programs and action plans to execute the "Development Strategy for the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center to 2035"; continuing investments in infrastructure aligned with the development of organizational structure and human resources for the new phase; and speeding up the transfer and completion of the dossier on the research vessel "Professor Gagarinskiy" before June 30, 2025. Additionally, both sides will collaborate on research projects associated with the use of the vessel; establish a roadmap and plan for technology transfer, finalize the draft protocol, and present it to the governments of both countries to formalize the technology transfer agreement under the VRTC framework; continue to invest in and upgrade equipment for the level-3 biosafety laboratory, aiming for its completion and operational launch in 2025.

Heads of the two delegations signed cooperation documents.

Concluding the session, heads of both sides signed cooperation documents, including the Minutes of the 35^th Session of the Coordinating Committee; the Scientific Research and Application Program of VRTC in the period of 2025-2029; the Scientific and Technological Research Plan of VRTC in 2025; and a Letter of Intent between the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation regarding technology transfer under the framework of VRTC.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and his delegation visited Saint Petersburg Mining University.

* Later the same day, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and his delegation visited Saint Petersburg Mining University. In a session focused on scientific and technological research in the mining sector, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien highlighted the importance of enhancing future cooperation between the university, VRTC, and various agencies of the Vietnam Ministry of National Defense. Key areas of collaboration discussed included ecological conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and advancements in materials technology.

Reported by Kieu Trinh from Saint Petersburg

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-te/doi-ngoai-quoc-phong/phien-hop-lan-thu-35-uy-ban-phoi-hop-lien-chinh-phu-ve-trung-tam-nhiet-doi-viet-nga-803203

Translated by Ngoc Nguyen (VRTC)