Expanding knowledge hubs to solve environmental challenges

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh warmly welcomed the delegation of experts from Auburn University (USA), along with specialists from various universities, research institutes, and companies both in Viet Nam and abroad, to visit and work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Providing an overview of the sector’s strategic direction, the Deputy Minister emphasized that Viet Nam is mobilizing resources to promote a circular economy, creating momentum for green growth and a low-emission development pathway. In particular, the Ministry is accelerating the completion of the draft Law on Environmental Protection (amended) for submission to the National Assembly this year, aiming to establish a solid legal framework for environmental protection activities in the coming period.

In the face of global challenges, he affirmed that strengthening international cooperation remains a top priority. In this regard, scientific research, knowledge sharing, and the development of high-quality human resources are of critical importance, playing a key role in helping Viet Nam realize its commitments to environmental protection and sustainable development.

On that basis, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh expressed confidence that the working session would open up valuable opportunities for specialized units, such as the Environmental Agency and the Viet Nam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change, to directly exchange and share practical experiences with international experts.

“I hope this visit and working session will go beyond information sharing to concretize key areas of cooperation in environment, meteorology, hydrology, marine resources, and sustainable development. This will serve as an important prerequisite for promoting collaborative relationships between Vietnamese agencies and organizations and Auburn University in the future,” shared Deputy Minister Thanh.

At the working session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tham of Auburn University outlined the overall development of an international expert network dedicated to addressing environmental challenges in Viet Nam.

Over the past 16 years, the network has steadily built a reputable scientific platform through a series of specialized conferences on environmental pollution, restoration, and management. The series was first launched in Ho Chi Minh City in 2010, followed by an event in Ha Noi in 2013, and has since been held regularly in Quy Nhon.

Reflecting on this journey, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tham emphasized the urgent need to adopt multidisciplinary approaches to address current challenges such as microplastic pollution, toxic chemical management, and public health risks.

"We cannot thoroughly solve environmental challenges if we rely solely on a single field of expertise. Instead, close coordination is required between restoration technology, practical risk assessment, and sustainable development policies," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tham affirmed.

At the same time, the expert expressed his impression of the Vietnamese Government's strong commitments, viewing them as a vital foundation for international scientists to continue their dedication, knowledge transfer, and the application of advanced technologies.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thien Phuong, Deputy Director General of the Environmental Agency, stated that the agency has a long-standing partnership with scientists through various international forums on pollution treatment, coastal ecological restoration, and environmental risk assessment. These efforts have laid a solid foundation for current coordinated activities.

Following that spirit, she expressed a desire to access practical experiences and advanced technologies from the international expert team to address urgent issues. Within the working framework, the parties held in-depth discussions on several key topics, such as controlling plastic and chemical pollution in soil, modernizing monitoring technologies, and environmental health risk assessment systems. This cooperation is expected to bring breakthrough solutions, contributing to the realization of Vietnam's sustainable development goals.

Auburn University is a major public research university located in Alabama, United States, founded in 1856. The university has more than 30,000 students and is classified among R1 institutions with very high research activity in the United States. Auburn is well known for its strengths in engineering, agriculture, environmental science, and technology. The university also actively participates in international collaborations to address global challenges related to the environment and sustainable development.