Deputy Minister Bui The Duy, Co-Head of the Steering Committee delivered the opening speech.

Attending the meeting, on the Vietnamese side, there were Mr. Bui The Duy, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Co-Head of the Steering Committee and members of the Vietnamese Steering Committee (including leaders of functional units under the Ministry); Mr. Kum Donghwa, Director of VKIST Institute. On the Korean side, there were Mr. Cho Han Deok, Director of KOICA Vietnam, Co-Head of the Steering Committee; Mr. Kim Dong Bae - Counselor of the Korean Embassy in Vietnam; Ms. Yang Eun Gyeong, Deputy Director of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Mr. Hang Ryoun Ryou - Construction Director of VKIST Project.

Speaking at the opening of the session, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy highly appreciated the efforts of the two sides in implementing the VKIST project in the context of the complicated epidemic situation in both countries. The project has been approved by the Government to extend the implementation period until the end of December 31, 2021, so this meeting is a great significance for the two sides to re-evaluate the project implementation situation, highlighting difficulties, and propose solutions; agreed on issues related to the packaging process to close the project, organize the handover event, inaugurate and discuss cooperation orientation and implementation plan for phase 2 of the project.

Deputy Minister Bui The Duy emphasized that, with the goal of establishing a research institute following a new model of international standards, contributing to promoting Vietnam's industrialization process, the project's products are the first step to build VKIST Institute on the basis of reference and learning experiences of KIST Institute model. The success of VKIST in the future does not stop at the Institute's own achievement and that of the Ministry of Science and Technology, but also the success of the common science and technology organization model for Vietnam. Thence, it has had a positive impact on the national innovation system, and at the same time is a beautiful symbol of the strong scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Director of KOICA Vietnam Cho Han Deok, Co-Head of Steering Committee spoke at the meeting

In his speech, Mr. Cho Han Deok, Director of KOICA Vietnam thanked the efforts of both sides for the meeting to be held in the context of social distancing being strictly applied in Hanoi. As for the construction component in charge of the Korean side, basically 99.8% of the total work has been completed, the remaining components are still being ensured the set schedule. He affirmed that this is an important national project of Korea, so KOICA, KIST and Korean experts have all made great efforts and seriousness in the implementation process. KOICA Vietnam committed to accompany the Ministry of Science and Technology, VKIST Institute to implement and finish the Project with the best results. “This is a key project in Korea's new southern policy, so it is not only an important project for Vietnam, but also an important one for us, thereby contributing to the promotion of Vietnam's industrialization and sustainable economic development, and at the same time tighten the cooperation relationship between the two countries," said Mr. Cho Han Deok.

Director of VKIST Institute Kum Dong Wha reported at the meeting.

At the meeting, Mr. Kum Dongwha, Director of VKIST Institute reported in detail on the contents that have been implemented and are being implemented of the Project, as well as some initial successes in the operation and implementation of research activities of the project. The Institute, at the same time, clearly stated the difficulties and obstacles to propose support measures from both sides.

After listening to reports from both sides, the members of the Committee only exchanged and discussed relevant issues and reached important conclusions, specifically: The two sides agreed on the construction component that should be decided early completion as well as conducting inspection, testing and acceptance according to the plan and current regulations; Agreeing to give priority to completing the plan for procurement, handover and installation of aid equipment, especially research equipment so that scientists of the Institute can soon stabilize their research work; Set targets for the remaining items, such as training, operation management consulting, project packaging, etc. to be completed in parallel before December 2021; Agree on the plan and plan for auditing, packaging and handing over the results of the Project; Discuss the development orientation of VKIST Institute in the coming time; policy to propose the Government of the two countries on the implementation plan of phase 2 of the Project so that the VKIST Institute is invested and developed in accordance with the orientation that the two Governments have set; At the same time, the two sides agreed that events related to the Handover and Inauguration Ceremony of the Project will be promoted to be held in 2022, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries with the proposal of the participation of the two sides of senior leaders.

Speaking at the close of the session, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy emphasized: "With the determination of the leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology, KOICA and the support and consensus of the relevant ministries and sectors, the two sides believe that the Project will have a successful outcome. The successful results will serve as a premise for the next stages, at the same time, VKIST will become a symbol of science and technology cooperation of the two countries, a bridge between Vietnam-Korea science and technology organizations and enterprises in the future.”

ctngoc