Science for Peace Parliamentary Meeting opens in Binh Dinh
The Science for Peace Parliamentary Meeting themed "Water security and insecurity: Rebuilding peaceful coexistence with science" opened on in the central province of Binh Dinh on September 11, attracting 60 scientists and young parliamentarians from 18 countries across the world.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
Binh Dinh (VNA) – The Science for PeaceParliamentary Meeting themed "Water security and insecurity: Rebuildin🐈g peacefulcoexistence with science" opened on in the central province of BinhDinh on Sept𝓰ember 11, attracting 60 scientists and young parliamentarians from 18 countriesacross the world.
The event, co-organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU),the scientific and educational organisation “Rencontres du Vietnam” (MeetingVietnam), the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Binh Dinh provincialPeople’s Committee, aims to provide an academic forum to realise the vision ofunifying international affairs through science, towards peaceful coexistence.It also serves as a platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue on topics related tothe core objectives of the IPU. Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the National AssemblyNguyen Duc Hai emphasised that water security is one of the majornon-traditional security challenges of the world today. Specifically, about one-third of the world's countries are suffering fromwater shortages. It is predicted that the rate will increase to two-thirds withabout 35% of the world's population experiencing serious water shortages, he said. To ensure water security for over 100 million people and as adeveloping middle-income country, Vietnam is facing challenges including watershortages, more natural disasters due to climate change impacts, waterpollution, and modest access to clean/safe water with affordable prices. Hai added that in the past time, the Vietnamese NationalAssembly proactively and actively proposed activities and participated in the IPU'sglobal initiatives relating to water issues. The IPU has supported and coordinatedclosely with Vietnam to promote parliamentary cooperation in solving globalchallenges. During the three-day event, participants will discuss in-depthtopics such as science and politics; earth observation programmes to monitorwater resources; typical legislative practice; multilateral, regional, andbilateral diplomacy on water resources for cross-border cooperation; a humanrights-based approach to water security and peace; innovating water treatmenttechnology to ensure water source security; promoting water security throughcommunity science; Network of Parliamentary Alliances on Water Resources;scientific diplomacy and predictive science./.
People and social organisations should be the most important actors in ensuring the success of climate change adaptation process and realising Vietnam’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh and Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Antti Kurvinen co-chaired a seminar in Hanoi on October 11 discussing solutions to respond to climate change.
The Government has issued a decree detailing the implementation of the Law on Water Resources, with regulations on granting water resource-related licences.
Climate change has and is deeply affecting Vietnam's water resources, changing the water cycle in nature and causing extreme phenomena such as flooding, drought, and saline intrusion, thus prompting the urgent need for strengthening management of water resources.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) 
