Brisbane, 30 July 2026 – The Australia–Vietnam Conference on Smart and Sustainable Agriculture 2026 (AVCSSA 2026), hosted by the Association of Vietnamese Experts and Scholars in Queensland (AVESQ) in collaboration with the Vietnamese Australian Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA), concluded successfully with nearly 150 delegates representing 35 universities, research institutes, businesses and organisations working across agriculture, technology and sustainable development in Australia and Vietnam.
Organised to strengthen research collaboration between the two countries, AVCSSA 2026 provided an international academic forum for scientists, experts, industry representatives and policymakers to present the latest research findings, share practical experience and discuss solutions to advance the transition towards smarter, more innovative and sustainable agriculture.
Against the backdrop of climate change, food security and digital transformation becoming global priorities, the conference focused on scientific and technological solutions to improve the productivity, resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems.
The conference featured Professor Robert Henry, Professor Emeritus at The University of Queensland, Australia, and Affiliate Faculty Member at VinUniversity, Vietnam, who is a leading expert in plant genomics, food security and sustainable agriculture. Professor Henry stated:
“Collaboration between Vietnam and Australia in smart and sustainable agriculture will help drive the innovation needed to address the impacts of climate change and meet the needs of future consumers.”
The conference also featured a keynote address by Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Bao Quoc of Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, a leading expert in agricultural biotechnology and plant pathology. Associate Professor Nguyen Bao Quoc commented:
“The conference provides a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese and Australian scientists working at universities in Vietnam and Queensland to connect, exchange ideas and jointly explore solutions for smart and sustainable agriculture. I believe the discussions arising from the conference will open up many practical opportunities for collaboration between the two countries in research, education and training, technology transfer and innovation in the years ahead.”
The conference’s technical program was structured around four principal themes:
- Smart and precision agriculture
- Agricultural productivity and policy
- Advanced breeding, genomics and multi-omics
- Sustainable and resilient agricultural systems
These themes encompassed a broad range of important areas, including sustainable agricultural systems, genomics-assisted breeding technologies, precision agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital technologies in agriculture, agricultural value chains, agricultural economics, and policies and governance models supporting sustainable agricultural development.
The conference program commenced with three keynote presentations focusing on the future of crop improvement; applications of molecular diagnostics and agricultural biotechnology; and product innovation in the development of sustainable seaweed aquaculture across the Indo-Pacific region.
The subsequent plenary panel brought together experts from universities, research institutions, innovation programs and technology companies. A representative of UQ Global Partnerships offered insights into partnership development, research collaboration, education, training and exchange between Australia and Vietnam. Meanwhile, Aus4Innovation shared its experience in strengthening partnerships to advance innovation and apply cutting-edge technologies to real-world challenges, contributing to inclusive development in Vietnam. The speakers discussed opportunities to increase the impact of collaborative research on smart and sustainable agriculture in Australia and Vietnam and shared an initiative to establish an innovation network connecting the two countries.
Throughout the program, delegates participated in plenary sessions, parallel presentation sessions and research poster presentations. The conference also provided opportunities for researchers, businesses and organisations to exchange ideas, identify potential partners and develop opportunities for future research collaboration, technology transfer and joint projects.
Dr Hue Tran, representing Enveritas, commented:
“The conference was thoughtfully organised and provided valuable opportunities to connect academia with industry, stay informed about emerging trends and build collaboration between Australia and Vietnam.”
The conference featured 30 scientific presentations and 20 research posters, showcasing findings from a wide range of ongoing research and innovation projects. These included two Aus4Innovation-supported projects involving the application of artificial intelligence to certification and traceability for smallholder farmers, and smart pollination management to improve the efficiency of fruit production in Vietnam.
The thematic sessions generated lively discussions among scientists and stakeholders, contributing to the development of numerous new research collaboration ideas and opening up prospects for joint projects among partners in Australia, Vietnam and the wider region.
In addition to its academic content, AVCSSA 2026 placed particular emphasis on encouraging the participation of students and early-career researchers. The Organising Committee recognised outstanding contributions through the Best Oral Presentation, Runner-up Oral Presentation and Best Poster Presentation awards. These awards not only acknowledged scientific quality and communication skills but also encouraged the next generation of researchers to continue developing their expertise, expanding their collaborative networks and actively contributing to the Australia–Vietnam research community.
Building on the positive outcomes of AVCSSA 2026, the Organising Committee intends to develop the conference into an annual forum, hosted alternately in Australia and Vietnam. This model is expected to sustain long-term connections among research communities, businesses and government agencies while advancing innovation, knowledge transfer, education and training programs, and collaborative projects with practical impacts on smart, adaptive and sustainable agriculture.
Many universities, research institutes, businesses, sponsors and technology partners participating in the conference expressed their interest and readiness to continue supporting future editions of AVCSSA. This strong response demonstrates the genuine need for an ongoing forum connecting academia, industry and government agencies in Australia and Vietnam. It also provides a foundation for the conference to expand its scale, enhance the quality of its technical program and increase its future impact.
The Organising Committee extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers, delegates, sponsors, co-organisers, partners and volunteers who contributed to the success of the conference. Their support and participation helped create a meaningful academic event that strengthened cooperation between Australia and Vietnam in agriculture and innovation.
Key Conference Outcomes
- Date: 30 July 2026
- Total number of delegates: 150
- Participating countries: 2
- Universities, research institutes and organisations represented: 35
- Scientific presentations: 30
- Poster presentations: 20
- Keynote speakers: 3
- Plenary sessions: 1
- Parallel sessions: 4
- Key areas of focus: Smart agriculture, sustainable agriculture, genomics and biotechnology, precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, agricultural value chains, agricultural economics and development policy
Support from Sponsors and Partners
The success of AVCSSA 2026 was made possible through the invaluable support and partnership of sponsors and organisations from Australia, Vietnam and internationally. The Organising Committee gratefully acknowledges the organisations that supported the conference through financial and in-kind sponsorship, scholarships, exhibitions, business networking activities and the sharing of professional expertise. Their contributions helped enhance the quality of the technical program and broaden the event’s impact.
The Organising Committee sincerely thanks the following sponsors and partners:
- Embassy of Vietnam in Australia
- Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam
- VASEA
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies
- Sailgene
- CSIRO
- Aus4Innovation
- AgriS
- BCE Vietnam
- The Precinct
