Viet Nam, Finland partner in science for sustainable development

Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Permanent Vice President of the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), and Prof. Dr. Sami Niemela, Deputy Director General of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of their respective institutions.

The signing was a bilateral activity between VAST and its Finnish partners, conducted within the framework of the official visit to the Republic of Finland by General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation from October 20-22, 2025.

Building on more than 50 years of friendly relations and strong cooperation between Viet Nam and Finland, leaders from the two institutions discussed ways to promote joint research and human resource training in meteorology, oceanography, climatology, and environmental monitoring and observation.

The MoU establishes a foundation for implementing cooperative activities between the two sides. These activities include conducting joint research projects and surveys in meteorology, oceanography, and earth sciences; developing and sharing models, data, and measurement equipment for the atmosphere and oceans; and facilitating exchanges of scientists, researchers, lecturers, and students. The partnership will also involve organizing conferences, workshops, specialized classes, and scientific schools; researching remote sensing satellite applications and data integration for forecasting and climate services; establishing and operating observation networks, including marine and coastal monitoring systems; and exchanging scientific information, publications, and experience in research and technological innovation.

The cooperation agreement, effective for five years, serves as a foundation for VAST and FMI to continue developing and implementing specific projects. It creates opportunities for the two national research agencies to coordinate and complement each other in research, development, and application in fields such as observation networks, data assimilation, modeling, and satellite applications.

This initiative will also contribute to implementing the "Cooperation in science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation" component of the Joint Statement on Establishing a Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Finland. The close connection between the national research units of Viet Nam and Finland is aimed at effectively serving the goals of innovation and sustainable development to which both nations are committed.

Established in 1838, the Finnish Meteorological Institute is one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious national meteorological agencies. Its mission includes observing the atmosphere, sea, and space; researching meteorology, climate, air quality, and environmental physics; and providing data services, warnings, and forecasts to support transportation safety, maritime and aviation operations, and environmental protection.

FMI is an active member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and numerous other international research networks. With strengths in automated observation, remote sensing, and climate forecast modeling, FMI is a trusted partner for many meteorological agencies, academies, and national scientific research organizations worldwide in studying climate change response and sustainable development.