On 14 February 2025, IIASA welcomed H.E. Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang, Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the International Organizations in Vienna, to explore advancing research cooperation between IIASA and Vietnam.
© IIASA L-R: IIASA Director General Hans Joachim Schellnhuber and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the International Organizations in Vienna H.E. Vu Le Thai Hoang
IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber highlighted IIASA's impact in Vietnam, including joint research projects with the Vietnamese research community on sustainability challenges.
Discussions focused on key research areas, including air quality and pollution control, particularly in the Hanoi region, building on the GAINS Vietnam model.
Sustainable water management was also explored through IIASA's involvement in the SOS Water project, a collaboration with 11 partners, including research institutes from Vietnam, to establish a safe operating space for global water resources.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies were examined, emphasizing IIASA's integrated modeling approaches to assess climate risks and inform policy decisions in Vietnam. The meeting further addressed environmental crisis responses, following up on insights from last year's workshop on environmental challenges in the Mekong Delta. Additionally, both parties discussed capacity-building opportunities, including the IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP).
This visit strengthens IIASA's research partnership with Vietnam, fostering scientific collaboration for data-informed policymaking.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang was accompanied by Trade Representative Dinh Thi Hoang Yen, while the IIASA delegation included senior leadership and researchers in key thematic areas.
