On December 5th 2018, the Embassy of Belgium, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, the Central Institute for Economic Management, and UNDP, has organized an Introductory training on Human Rights in the Context of Good Corporate Governance for Vietnamese SOEs.

The training stressed the importance of Vietnamese SOEs leading by example as role models for all businesses in respecting human rights in their business practice, including: children’s rights, labor standards, and gender equality. The facilitators have also presented the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, with examples and discussions to strengthen participants’ understanding of the training.

On December 5th 2018, Mr. Paul Van Dun, the director of the renowned tech transfer office at KU Leuven, has given his insights at the Vietnam Reform & Development Forum 2018, co-organized by the Ministry of Planning & Investment (MPI) and the World Bank, with the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Mr. Van Dun’s presentation focused on innovation through collaboration between industry and universities.

During his visit to Hanoi, Mr. Van Dun also gave presentations at the Hanoi University of Science & Technology and at the World Bank, to explain how tech transfer can be organized and become part of the DNA of a university.

Pictures source: CCPR-HUST

At a reception in Hanoi on November 23 for the Belgian diplomat who paid a courtesy visit marking his new term in Vietnam, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc thanked the ambassador for his effective cooperation with Vietnamese competent agencies in preparation for the former’s visit to Belgium, while hoping that Paul Jansen, as a highly experienced diplomat, will make a significant contribution to fostering bilateral relations during his term of office in Vietnam.

Phu expressed his satisfaction with the official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, particularly the good results achieved at the talks with the Belgian Prime Minister and meetings with the Belgian King and other leaders, noting that the outcomes will be a solid foundation for strengthening the relationship between  Belgium and Vietnam. He said he hopes to welcome his Belgian counterpart’s visit to Vietnam at an earliest date.

Vietnam-Belgium relations have progressed steadily in all aspects, as shown by an annual increase in two-way trade turnover with US$2.3 billion being recorded in the first 10 months of 2018, and the growing number of Belgian businesses investing in Vietnam, Phuc said.

The Vietnamese cabinet leader urged the two countries to advance cooperation in education and human resource training, saying Vietnam has prepared for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and wishes Belgium to back the signing and ratification of the trade pact.

For his part, Paul Jansen said Belgian enterprises desire to expand investment in Vietnam and call for visa exemption for Belgian citizens to Vietnam in order to further promote tourism and cross-cultural exchange.

The ambassador said he wants Belgium and Vietnam to offer mutual support and continue their close collaboration in peacekeeping operations and  climate change adaptation.

Paul Jansen also affirmed his nation’s support for Vietnam’s participation in the EVFTA, which, he said, will help Vietnam derive substantial strategic and economic benefits from the deal.