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Hanoi, May 7, 2024 - The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) jointly organised the ACIAR - Vietnam Partnership Dialogue to discuss strategic collaboration and future research priorities in agriculture.
The dialogue aimed to update key Vietnamese stakeholders on the partnership, outline indicative priorities for research collaborations over the next five years and explore co-investment opportunities.
The event commenced with remarks from Australian Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Mr Andrew Goledzinowski and MARD Vice Minister H.E. Mr Phung Duc Tien, highlighting the significance of the partnership.
‘As Vietnam and Australia have become comprehensive strategic partners, ACIAR will continue to play a critical role in helping Vietnam achieve its rural and agricultural development goals through collaborative and effective research,’ said Ambassador Goledzinowski.
Vice Minister Phung Duc Tien added, ‘We want to collaborate closely with ACIAR in planning for enhancing research capacity and doing strategic and scalable research to achieve Vietnam’s goals of green growth and multi-value agricultural development, while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers.’
The dialogue, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed recently between ACIAR and MARD, mark a new level of collaboration that focuses on sustainable agricultural development and equitable partnership.
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ACIAR CEO Professor Wendy Umberger said, ‘The new MOU signed between ACIAR and MARD and today’s dialogue symbolise pivotal moments in our shared journey towards enhancing livelihoods and addressing pressing food system challenges. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to discuss and agree on our future research collaborations with our long-standing and highly valued partners here in Vietnam.’
During the dialogue, case studies and insights were shared, emphasising Vietnam-led partnerships, co-funding, research priorities and the importance of capacity development. MARD's Department of Science, Technology & Environment Director Dr Nguyen Thanh Thuy presented Vietnam's research priorities and proposed directions for collaborative programs.
In conclusion, ACIAR and MARD affirmed their commitment to the partnership's collaborative future. ACIAR remains dedicated to fostering long-term partnerships, enhancing research capacity, improving livelihoods, and addressing agricultural challenges in Vietnam.
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Media Contact:
Ms Nguyen Thu Huong | M: 0936 068 310 | [email protected]
About ACIAR
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is the Australian Government’s specialist agricultural research-for-development agency within the Australian aid program. ACIAR delivers the knowledge and technology that underpins more productive and sustainable farming systems and more resilient food systems for the benefit of developing countries and Australia. Since 1993, ACIAR has collaborated with Vietnam, investing in more than 260 projects worth more than A$184 million, focusing on sustainable agricultural development and enhancing livelihoods. ACIAR has also granted more than 120 scholarships to Vietnamese scientists, enhancing research capacity and leadership development.