The Friendship Order was presented to Prof. Andrew Campbell, CEO ACIAR, by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep.
“This award recognizes the achievements we have attained through genuine collaboration over many years,” said Prof. Campbell, ACIAR CEO. “Vietnam is a very important partner of ACIAR and it is heartening to see it evolve from aid to a long-term technical partnership based on substantial co-investment in support of Vietnam’s sustainable agriculture goals.”
ACIAR has partnered with Vietnam in agricultural research for more than 25 years and recently signed an agreement for future collaboration until 2027.
At the ceremony (Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam)
Since 1993, ACIAR has invested AUD105 million in 175 projects across 6 key research areas: agribusiness, fisheries, forestry, livestock, soil and land management, and water and climate change. These projects have significantly contributed to the strong and sustainable development of Vietnam's agricultural sector and enhanced agricultural research capacity for Vietnam.
In addition to funding research collaboration, ACIAR has helped 74 Vietnamese scientists attain their PhD and Masters in Australia and 18 research managers have contributed to Australian research leadership programs. Many of these have become leading experts in Vietnam.
ACIAR’s work in Vietnam has helped build an acacia plantation industry, generating substantial economic benefits. More than 250,000 smallholder farmers are now employed in this industry, with the products going to the export woodchip, domestic pulp and panel, as well as furniture manufacturing industries. Other ACIAR-funded research has led to significant achievements in women’s economic empowerment and has underpinned a new and expanding oyster industry involving 2,500 Vietnamese families, producing 15,000-30,000 tonnes of oysters per year.
The ceremony recognising ACIAR’s ongoing research efforts and socioeconomic development in Vietnam was held at the Vietnam Government Guesthouse and witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Senator Marise Payne, and senior officials from the two delegations.
The Friendship Order is presented to individuals and organisations in recognition of their contribution to the development and promotion of the friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries.
ACIAR is part of Australia’s international development cooperation program. As Australia’s specialist international agricultural research-for-development agency, our purpose is to broker and fund research partnerships between Australian scientists and their counterparts in developing countries. Since 1982, ACIAR has supported research projects in four regions—eastern and southern Africa, East Asia, South and West Asia and the Pacific. ACIAR has been active in Vietnam for 26 years./.