The DAV signed MoU with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

In her speech at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung highlighted, “The signing of today’s Memorandum of Understanding marks an important milestone, not only consolidating but also significantly enhancing the collaboration between DAV and ERIA, opening up new opportunities, particularly in the areas of research, sustainable development, and regional economic integration.” She also underscored the importance of the close connection between DAV and ERIA, based on shared objectives in contributing to the sustainable development of the ASEAN region. Dr. Pham Lan Dung reaffirmed DAV’s commitment to training talented diplomats and building a young, dynamic, and capable workforce. She noted that DAV continues to expand its network of cooperation with leading research institutions worldwide, with a vision of becoming the premier institution in Viet Nam for education, training, and research in international relations and diplomacy.

From ERIA’s side, Professor Tetsuya Watanabe emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "Today’s ceremony represents a significant step forward in our ongoing collaboration and is a reflection of the mutual respect and shared vision between our two institutions”. He also outlined key areas where ERIA and DAV could further deepen their collaboration, including joint research on critical issues such as sustainable development and regional economic cooperation, as well as capacity-building initiatives for young diplomats and researchers. Professor Watanabe expressed confidence that “Our joint efforts will help ASEAN nations navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global environment,” and looked forward to creating platforms for policy dialogue and academic exchange.

The MoU signed between DAV and ERIA provides an official framework for bilateral cooperation across multiple fields, including joint research, training programs, and the organization of academic exchange activities. In particular, both sides will collaborate on research into key issues such as sustainable development, regional economic integration, and global trends, while also offering policy recommendations to ASEAN countries and partners. This partnership is expected to enhance research capabilities, promote innovative policy approaches, and contribute significantly to addressing regional and global challenges.

Prior to the official MoU signing ceremony, Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung had a courtesy meeting with Professor Tetsuya Watanabe to discuss post-MoU cooperation activities. During the meeting, Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung expressed her deep appreciation for ERIA's unwavering support for DAV’s initiatives and emphasized the significance of this MoU in elevating bilateral cooperation. Professor Watanabe shared his expectations for even closer collaboration between the two institutions, especially in light of the new challenges facing the region.

ERIA is an international organization established by a formal agreement among 16 Heads of Government at the 3rd East Asia Summit on November 21, 2007, in Singapore. ERIA aims to conduct research and provide policy recommendations to enhance economic integration within the region. It conducts research and policy analyses to facilitate the building of the ASEAN Economic Community, promotes wide economic integration and sustainable development in East Asia, and contributes to narrowing development gaps in the region. The research covers a wide range of policy areas, such as trade and investment, globalization, SMEs promotion, human resource and infrastructure development, supply chains, energy, environment, inclusiveness, and aging societies. ERIA has gained international recognition, ranking ninth among the world's top international economics think tanks, according to the 2020 Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report by the University of Pennsylvania./.