Delegates at the event. — VNA/VNS Photo Trường Duy

ROME — The 8th session of the Việt Nam-Italy Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation took place in Rome on Wednesday to summarise the collaboration so far and set out new tasks for the two sides.

The event was co-chaired by Vũ Thị Tú Quyên, Deputy Director of the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology’s Department of International Cooperation, and Giuseppe Pastorelli, Deputy Director of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s economic promotion and innovation department.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the outcomes of the seven bilateral sci-tech cooperation programmes implemented since 1998. These programmes have fostered strong collaborative relationships between Vietnamese and Italian research institutes and universities, enabling joint research projects in Italy's areas of expertise to effectively address Vietnam's socio-economic development needs.

Over 70 educational establishments and more than 250 experts of the two nations have participated in field surveys, study tours, exchange visits, and the training of over 50 Master’ and PHD students. Additionally, they have jointly published over 150 scientific papers on journals from Việt Nam, Italy, and around the world.

The 8th session saw the sides concurring on their cooperation scheme for 2024-2026, focusing on the five priority areas of agricultural science and food technology, information technology and communication, climate change and sustainable development, space science and earth observation, and technology for conservation and restoration of cultural and natural heritage. They also finalised a list of joint research projects to be implemented in the near future. — VNS