Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister, the sub-committee’s head, and Co-President of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee for the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien chaired the event.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the event. |
At the event, delegates heard reports on the center’s task performance in 2024 and its orientation in 2025; a letter of intent between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education; the draft supplementary protocol to the agreement on technology transfer within the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center framework signed on March 7, 1988; the progress of transferring the research vessel "Professor Gagarinskiy" and mobile testing vehicles; construction of laboratory facilities; building of the second phase of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands marine research program; and preparations for the 35th session of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee for the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center.
Having heard the reports, Gen. Chien acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements obtained by the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center. He affirmed that the center has strictly implemented the tasks assigned by the Vietnam sub-committee and the coordinating committee. In 2024, the center has actively and flexibly carried out and fulfilled its tasks, achieving significant results across various areas, producing scientific and technological products with high applicability to effectively serve the implementation of military, defense, and socio-economic development, international integration, and defense diplomacy missions.
Regarding the challenges posed by the complicated and unpredictable developments of the global situation, climate change, and diseases in the future, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister requested the Vietnamese sub-committee and the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center to focus on grasping the directives from the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense on international integration, defense diplomacy, science, technology, and environmental issues in the new period; building the center into a model and symbol of bilateral cooperation; expanding collaboration with units and organizations both inside and outside the military and with other potential countries to meet the requirements in the new situation.
Gen. Chien added that non-traditional security issues like pandemics and climate change continue to be significant challenges in 2025 and beyond, requiring the efforts of scientists. He asked the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center to foster research and forecasting, prepare forces and facilities, and actively propose pandemic prevention and control measures; work closely with the Russian side to make thorough preparations for the 35th session of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee, scheduled for November 15 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and sidelines activities.
Translated by Tran Hoai