Promoting strategic cooperation in the field of biotechnology between Vietnam and Cuba

On the afternoon of August 28, in Hanoi, the ceremony to announce the cooperation agreement and launch the Vietnam-Cuba Biotechnology Network took place with the participation of the Cuban Intergovernmental Commission delegation and representatives of ministries, universities, research institutes, hospitals and enterprises in the fields of agriculture and pharmaceuticals of Cuba and Vietnam.

Signing ceremony of cooperation agreement between Green Economy Institute and Vietnamese partner group.

The event marked a qualitative change in scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. It was an initiative initiated by the Green Economy Institute, bringing together the first members from more than 30 hospitals, research institutes, universities, and large enterprises in Vietnam.

Ceremony to announce cooperation agreement and launch Vietnam-Cuba Biotechnology Network

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Duong Thi Bach Lien - Director of the Green Economy Institute said that in the context of Vietnam, the Vietnamese economy is undergoing strong changes based on four main pillars: Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation; Resolution 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation; Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW on innovation in law-making and enforcement to meet the requirements of national development in the new era; and especially Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private economic development; The Green Economy Institute quickly researched and assessed the situation and in May 2025 organized a working delegation to visit, work and discuss with relevant agencies and large biotechnology and pharmaceutical corporations of Cuba to develop a Vietnam-Cuba Biotechnology Cooperation Project with the goal of deep and comprehensive cooperation with Cuba in the fields of research, development, technology transfer, production and trade of Cuban biotechnology products to serve sustainable agricultural development and natural health care.

Ms. Duong Thi Bach Lien - Director of the Green Economy Institute delivered the opening speech at the event.

In June 2025, the Green Economy Institute coordinated with the People's Committee of Lam Dong province to successfully organize the Vietnam-Cuba Biomedical Cooperation Workshop with the participation of more than 200 business delegates, scientists, research institutes, and state management agencies from Cuba and Vietnam.

Immediately after the workshop, the Green Economy Institute developed a preliminary plan and made recommendations on specific cooperation and investment items to the Intergovernmental Committee of the two countries, preparing for the implementation of the Vietnam-Cuba Biotechnology Cooperation Project initiated and coordinated by the Institute.

Ms. Déborah Rivas Saavedra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Head of the Cuban Intergovernmental Commission delegation, spoke at the conference.

Leaders of the Green Economy Institute, representatives of ministries, Lam Dong province and delegates attended the conference.

The Vietnam-Cuba Biotechnology Network aims to connect research resources, training, technology transfer, production and commercialization of biotechnology products and typical research works of Cuba as well as exploit and develop indigenous resources of Vietnam.

Thereby, not only opening a new direction for Vietnam's biotechnology industry, but also creating a foundation to bring Cuba's advanced scientific achievements into practical service of medical development, agriculture and people's lives.

The representative of the Cuban Intergovernmental Commission delegation highly appreciated this initiative of the Green Economy Institute and affirmed that the initiative will concretize high-level agreements on biotechnology cooperation, making good use of Cuba's strengths and Vietnam's potential in this field.

Delegates attending the conference.

At the event, the Green Economy Institute presented to the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee a number of key cooperation recommendations to create a breakthrough in bilateral biotechnology linkages. The top priority is to establish a joint venture in Vietnam with Cuba’s Labiofam Group.

This joint venture will be the legal and financial foundation for implementing three key projects: a science urban area and an agricultural biotechnology park in Lam Dong; an international healthcare complex in Dong Nai; and an e-commerce platform for biotechnology products. This will be a practical step to realize bilateral cooperation, bringing Cuban biotechnology to serve public health and sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam.

The above proposals received high consensus, demonstrating the determination of both sides in making biotechnology a new pillar of cooperation. The Green Economy Institute said it will closely coordinate with relevant agencies of Vietnam and Cuba to soon realize these initiatives.

Representatives of Vietnamese enterprises donated more than 300 tons of rice to support the Cuban people.

The Green Economy Institute presented the Cuban side with a souvenir of the Dai Viet Dragon.

Within the framework of the ceremony, the Green Economy Institute and representatives of Vietnamese enterprises presented the Cuban side with a Dai Viet Dragon souvenir and more than 300 tons of rice to support the Cuban people.

DANG ANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-chien-luoc-trong-linh-vuc-cong-nghe-bi-hoc-giua-viet-nam-va-cuba-post904446.html