The workshop on Vietnam-European Union cooperation in science, technology and trade focused on the application of artificial intelligence across multiple sectors.
The event was co-organised by the Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium and Luxembourg and the Vietnamese Mission to the European Union, in coordination with the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium and Luxembourg and the Vietnam Business Association in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
It served as a forum connecting Vietnamese intellectuals across Europe to strengthen cooperation in high-tech sectors, particularly artificial intelligence.
The workshop featured four in-depth discussion sessions with nearly 20 speakers from Vietnam and Europe, covering AI applications in digital transformation, economic development, trade, energy, nuclear medicine and biotechnology.
In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao highlighted the growing development of relations between Vietnam and the European Union, as well as bilateral ties with Belgium and Luxembourg.
He noted that cooperation has expanded in areas including trade, investment, climate change adaptation and green development.
Under the joint statement on the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in January, science, technology and innovation have been identified as key pillars of cooperation in the coming period, he added.
Phung Quoc Tri, president of the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium and Luxembourg, said innovation and digital transformation are becoming major drivers of global economic growth.
He said the workshop aimed to strengthen connections between scientists, businesses and research organisations from Vietnam and the European Union, paving the way for future collaborative projects.
Nguyen Thanh Vinh, president of the Vietnam Business Association in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, said the event marked the first large-scale artificial intelligence workshop in Europe organised by Vietnamese associations.
He noted that many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are eager to adopt artificial intelligence but lack clear strategies.
Engagement with experts and researchers could help them identify suitable solutions, he said.
Nguyen Duy Cu, vice president of the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium and Luxembourg, said stronger international cooperation is essential to improving scientific and technological capacity as artificial intelligence becomes a key driver of global innovation.
Europe has strong foundations in technology, education and research, while Vietnam benefits from a young and dynamic workforce capable of rapidly adopting new technological trends, he said.
Connecting these complementary strengths could significantly boost scientific and technological development.
Speakers also shared technological advances and research cooperation experiences between Vietnam and European partners.
Professor Geert Angenon from Vrije Universiteit Brussel said collaboration with Vietnamese partners in biotechnology could open the door to a range of joint programmes between universities and research institutes.
Participants also discussed practical technology applications, including robotics in dairy farming and biotechnology solutions for soil remediation and clean agriculture.
Beyond academic exchanges, the event highlighted the increasingly important role of Vietnamese intellectuals in Europe in linking knowledge, technology and international resources to support Vietnam’s development.
Such initiatives are expected to help science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence, become a key bridge for strengthening Vietnam-European Union relations in the future.
