Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum convenes session in Hanoi
The 28th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-28) is taking place in Hanoi under the theme “Bridging Space Innovations Opportunities for Sustainable and Prosperous Future”.
The 28th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 28th session of theAsia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-28) is taking place in Hanoi underthe theme “Bridging Space Innovations Opportunities forSustainable and Prosperous Future”.
Thefour-day session features meetings of working groups on November 15 -16 and plenarysittings on November 17 - 18. It attracts over 350 delegates from 34 countriesand territories.
In his remarks onNovember 17, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)Chau Van Minh said the strong development of science and technology over thepast decade and the engagement of not only governments but also privateenterprises and startups have helped space technology, the most advancedscience at present, be present more intensively and extensively in social lifearound the world.
He cited a 2020 report by the UN Economic and Social Councilas saying that space science, technology, and data made certain direct orindirect contributions to the realisation of the Sutainable Development Goalsin countries around the world.
Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific, which creates about 60% of the world’sGDP and two-thirds of global growth and is also home to more than half of theglobal population, gathers many big economies with advanced technology. Manycountries in the region have effectively applied space technology to promotingsustainable development and obtain strong growth in the recent past, he noted.
Minh expressed his hope that with experiences in spacetechnology research and application shared at the event, cooperation will befurther enhanced to build a strong and united space community in the region tocope with regional and global issues in the coming decades, and work towardssustainable and prosperous development in each nation.
APRSAF-28 focuses on sharing and updating information aboutspace activities and future plans of each country and region in Asia-Pacific,and discussing and seeking chances for cooperation among APRSAF members.
Founded in 1993, the APRSAF aims to boost the development ofspace programmes in each country and share visions towards future space cooperationin Asia-Pacific.
This year, the 28th session is held by the VAST’s VietnamNational Space Centre, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,Science and Technology, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency./.
The 27th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-27) was held virtually from November 30 to December 3 with the theme “Expand space innovation through diverse partnership.”
Scientists of the Space Technology Institute under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and other Vietnamese experts have successfully restored the system control servers and enabled VNREDSat-1, Vietnam’s first remote sensing satellite, to take pictures again from April 4, according to the academy.
Potential plans and roadmaps were proposed to build national capacity in Earth observation using small satellite systems during a seminar held by the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) in Hanoi on June 30.
More than 50 suppliers, technology companies and universities attended the first Vietnam Aerospace Industry Forum on August 25 to seek cooperation opportunities with Boeing, a leading global aerospace company.
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.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
The Government will always accompany companies, including CMC, and request ministries, agencies, and Hanoi authorities to further support them by promptly removing any obstacles to their growth, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The 28th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) 
