In December 2014, as a scientist at AGI, I had an opportunity to draft a speech for the President of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) to address the audience at the International Symposium on “Collaboration between Japan and Vietnam for a sustainable future: PLANT – AGRICULTURE – BIOREFINERY” held at the Agricultural Genetics Institute. Because the draft was prepared without instruction from the speaker, it can be considered as my view (although still incomplete) on this topic. Here, I am sharing with you my view on Energy and Food security and how we leverage through Agricultural Biotechnology and international collaborations.

Biotechnology, especially agricultural biotechnology, is playing key roles in sustainablesocio-economic development of Vietnam and other nations. This division of science is helping us to achieve food security, energy security and environment protection as well as maintaining biodiversity. With 70% of the population working in agricultural sector, research and development on agricultural biotechnology has been set by our government as one of the top priorities.

We must admit that we all are living in a world with limited resources, including Food, Energy and Water. For a sustainable future, we must work to save them, at the same time we must develop renewable resources. Luckily, we have nearly unlimited solar energy and highly diverse plant species that could help converting such energy into Foods and Biomasses. However, with the rapid increase in population and unpredictable climate change, we have to focus our research on how to increase production of foods and biomasses from less arable land and less inputs, including water. In special circumstances, we must find a way to maintain productivity of our crops even under unfavorable conditions.

In this globalized world, issues of one country are also the issues of the others. Therefore, we not only have to work hard but also have to work hard together; joining hands, contributing efforts, utilizing the strengths of each country is the only way to achieve a sustainable future together.

Japan is one of a few countries that are leading the world’s science, therefore, I am very glad to see, and highly appreciate, the collaborative efforts of scientists of Japan in conducting joint research with us and training our young generation. The establishment of joint laboratory between RIKEN and AGI is an example of a highly effective mode of collaboration and I do hope to see more like this in the near future.

By working together toward a sustainable future, I am sure the scientists of Japan and Vietnam will also help tighten the relationship of the 2 nations as well as contributing to strengthen the relationships within South East Asia.