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| The signing ceremony between IMH and VITO, marking a new chapter in Vietnam-Belgium collaboration. (Photo: imh.ac.vn) |
Representatives from the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change (IMH) in Vietnam and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) of Belgium have joined forces through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to tackle urban climate challenges, climate change, sustainable energy pursuits, and efficient water resources management.
This partnership was formalized during the Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s state visit to Vietnam, with a meeting held in Hanoi on March 31st.
IMH’s Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, emphasized the global nature of climate change, with Vietnam being particularly vulnerable. She highlighted the strategic significance of this MoU with VITO, a leading European research institution, as a means to address these pressing issues.
From a scientific and technological standpoint, Nga explained that this collaboration offers an opportunity to develop innovative solutions in four critical areas: urban climate research, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing water resources, and fostering a circular economy.
On the ground, this partnership will yield tangible benefits. These include crafting high-resolution urban climate change scenarios, studying extreme urban phenomena, and enhancing urban pollution management. Additionally, it will facilitate the creation of pilot models for climate-resilient smart cities and agriculture, bolstering disaster prediction and warning systems. Economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and energy will benefit from climate adaptation strategies, and the integration of AI, IoT, and big data will enhance environmental and climate monitoring.
The collaboration also prioritizes the development of high-quality human resources. This will be achieved through expert exchanges, short-term advanced technology training programs, and the transfer of knowledge and management skills, ensuring a sustainable impact.
Leen Govaerts, Director of Water and Energy Transition at VITO, expressed gratitude for this partnership with IMH. She noted VITO’s ongoing flood management project in Vietnam and assured transparent technology transfer to strengthen local capacities for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.
Beyond the core areas of cooperation, the two institutions will adaptively expand their collaboration based on practical demands and mutual strengths. They will also jointly pursue and mobilize international funding sources to support their initiatives.
To ensure the effectiveness of this partnership, a close working mechanism will be established. This includes regular communication between leaders and experts from both sides, along with specific agreements tailored to each project.
Since 2024, scientists from IMH and VITO have been engaged in technical discussions, laying the foundation for a joint research project on urban climate services in Vietnam. As part of this collaboration, VITO is supporting Vietnamese scientists in developing and applying a high-resolution urban climate model to assess urban climate risks and build climate change scenarios for cities.
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