Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet attends the International Conference on Nuclear Energy in Varna, promoting Vietnam-Bulgaria cooperation. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

The event, organized by the Bulgarian Atomic Energy Association (BULATOM), is one of the prestigious specialized forums in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe, gathering policymakers, experts, scientists, businesses, and representatives from many international organizations in the field of nuclear energy.

This year's conference takes place as many countries are reviewing and adjusting their energy strategies to address challenges related to energy security, climate change, and the increasing demand for electricity.

The conference attracted a large number of interested delegates. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

The conference was attended by leaders from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), EURATOM, research institutes, universities, and leading nuclear energy companies from Bulgaria and internationally. Representatives from various diplomatic missions, including the embassies of Vietnam, the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, also attended and spoke at the event.

In his opening remarks, BULATOM President Bogomil Manchev emphasized that global electricity demand is increasing significantly due to industrialization, economic digitization, artificial intelligence development, and data centers.

According to him, nuclear power continues to affirm its role as a crucial base-load power source due to its ability to provide large, stable electricity output with low carbon emissions. He believes Bulgaria needs to continue investing in nuclear power development to ensure long-term national energy security and highly values the future prospects of small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

Speaking at the conference, Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Energy Lyubomira Gancheva highlighted that the energy sector is facing increasingly complex challenges, from geopolitical instability to rapidly growing electricity demand due to digitization and artificial intelligence development.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet affirms Vietnam's responsible approach to its nuclear power program, strictly adhering to international standards on nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

She affirmed that Bulgaria has a strong foundation with over 50 years of nuclear power development and will continue to implement new projects to ensure a stable, safe, and competitive energy supply. According to her, Bulgaria's nuclear energy strategy must ensure a balance between energy security, economic efficiency, and sustainable development goals.

Within the framework of the conference, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet presented a paper titled "Vietnam's Nuclear Energy Development: Strategic Vision for Energy Security and International Cooperation".

The ambassador emphasized that alongside high economic growth and the country's industrialization and modernization, Vietnam's electricity demand is projected to continue rising sharply in the coming decades. To meet development needs, Vietnam is building a diverse, balanced, and sustainable energy structure, identifying nuclear energy as one of the key solutions to ensure national energy security and support the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The ambassador affirmed Vietnam's cautious and responsible approach to its nuclear power program, strictly adhering to international standards on nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation. Vietnam prioritizes researching and selecting advanced, proven technologies while focusing on institutional improvement, human resource development, enhancing state management capacity, and building a nuclear safety culture.

Appreciating Bulgaria's experience in operating the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and training specialized human resources, the ambassador proposed strengthening cooperation between the two countries in areas such as expert training, scientific research, sharing management and operational experiences, ensuring nuclear safety, applying digital technology in the energy sector, and researching advanced nuclear technologies.

The ambassador also expressed a desire to coordinate with Bulgarian agencies, associations, and businesses to organize the Vietnam-Bulgaria Nuclear Energy Cooperation Forum at the end of 2026 to connect partners and promote specific cooperation projects.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet holds meetings with representatives from the academic and business communities. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

During her time in Varna, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet held meetings with representatives from the academic and business communities to promote bilateral cooperation in education, training, and human resource development.

In a meeting with Professor Evgeni Stanimirov, Rector of the University of Economics Varna, both sides discussed directions to enhance cooperation between higher education institutions in Vietnam and Bulgaria, promote student and faculty exchanges, and expand scientific research collaboration.

The ambassador also visited and worked with the leadership of the Odessos Shipyard to understand the business's human resource needs and discuss potential cooperation in training high-quality human resources for the marine, mechanical, and shipbuilding industries. These are fields where Bulgaria has strengths and Vietnam has significant demand in its marine economic and manufacturing industry development.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet visits and works with the leadership of the Odessos Shipyard. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

Participation in the International Conference on Nuclear Energy in Varna and related activities contributed to promoting Vietnam's policy of developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, strengthening connections with Bulgarian and European partners, and opening up new cooperation opportunities in energy, science and technology, education, and human resource development. The achievements continue to deepen the Vietnam-Bulgaria Strategic Partnership in a practical, effective, and sustainable manner.