Forum seeks to promote space research through diverse partnership
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.”
Hanoi (VNA) – 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.”
The forum was organised by Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.
VAST President Prof. Chau Van Minh said the APRSAF-27 was an opportunity for space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to share experiences and seek cooperation opportunities. Through the forum, scientists and policymakers exchanged information, knowledge and experiences in aerospace technology development, and devised methods to diversify cooperation activities and promote research and application of aerospace technology, contributing to socio-economic development in each country, region, and worldwide.
Highlights of the event included the launch of the Space Law and Policy working group and the first-ever presentation of APRSAF Awards to honor scientists who have made great contributions to or have big influence on space technology research and the development of young generations of researchers in the field in the region.
Representatives of the VAST co-chaired discussions of five thematic groups on the application of space technology for the benefit of the society, capacity building, space education for the community, frontiers of the space industry, and space law and policy.
The APRSAF-27 forum attracted the participation of about 600 delegates from more than 40 countries including Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The AP⛎RSAF-28 forum will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam next year./.
Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite has been officially transferred to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) after completing its final tests, said Pham Anh Tuan, director of the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
NanoDragon, a nano-layer cubesat satellite developed by the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, is scheduled to be launched into orbit from Japan on October 1.
Thirty-eight projects on aerospace technology have been approved in Vietnam with a total cost of 236.5 billion VND in the past five years, according to Associate Prof. Dr. Doan Minh Chung from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).
The fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket which carries Vietnam’s NanoDragon and eight other small satellites of Japan, was successfully launched into outer space at 9:55am (Japan time) on November 9.
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.
Illustrative image. (Photo:aprsaf.com) 
