At the invitation of the Organizing Committee of the “20th Asian-Australasian Animal Production Congress”, the delegation of the Vietnam Livestock Association attended the congress in Melbourne, Australia, in early July 2024. During the event, the delegation gained valuable experience and officially received the flag to host the “21st Asian-Australasian Animal Production Congress” in 2026 in Vietnam.
The delegation was led by Dr. Nguyen Xuan Duong, Chairman of the Vietnam Livestock Association; Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Duc, Deputy Secretary-General of the Asian-Australasian Council; together with representatives from GreenVet Company and CJ Bio Vietnam. The delegation also included Vietnamese PhD students in Australia, as well as scientists engaged in research, teaching at universities, and working in the host country.
Delegates attending the congress took a commemorative photo.
The 20th Asian-Australasian Animal Production Congress (AAAP 2024) officially opened on the morning of July 9, 2024, featuring a wide range of meaningful activities such as scientific presentations in the fields of environment, genetics and breeding, nutrition and feed, and animal science. On the same day, the AAAP Council Meeting of the 20th Congress took place under the chairmanship of Mr. Sang Jip Ohh, Secretary-General of the Asian-Australasian Association, and Mr. Michel Friend, President of the 20th AAAP Congress.
At the congress, Mr. Michel Friend, President of the 20th AAAP Congress, highly commended the Organizing Committee’s thorough preparation and successful implementation of the program. He also announced the preliminary results of the event: more than 573 delegates from 21 countries and territories participated. Over the course of four days, the congress featured 8 keynote lectures delivered by leading professors in their respective fields, 110 oral presentations, and 237 poster presentations covering a wide range of topics related to animal production and livestock sciences. The Vietnam Livestock Association delegation contributed actively with 3 oral presentations and 2 poster presentations, which received very positive feedback.
During the 20th AAAP Congress, the Vietnam Livestock Association actively engaged in promoting its bid to host the 21st AAAP Congress in 2026 in Vietnam. The Association sought advice and experience from international scientists attending the congress, and held discussions with the leadership of the AJAS/AB Journal to gain support in communication and outreach. Particularly notable was the presentation of an official promotional video introducing Vietnam as the host of the 21st AAAP Congress, which drew significant international interest and support.
In parallel with the congress activities, on the afternoon of July 10, 2024, in Melbourne, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Duong, together with Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Duc, Dr. Bach Quoc Thang, and Dr. Do Thi Hue, held a direct meeting with the Australian Society of Animal Production. The meeting provided valuable insights into the organization of the 20th AAAP Congress as well as best practices from the Australian society, which will support Vietnam in preparing for the upcoming congress.
Through these exchanges and first-hand experience, the Vietnam Livestock Association summarized several key lessons for organizing a successful congress:
-
Selecting the right theme to attract delegates and ensure relevance.
-
Developing a comprehensive organizational plan, assigning responsibilities to specific committees and leaders.
-
Establishing a financial plan early to support activities such as sponsorship, abstract submission, and participation fees to maximize attendance.
-
Managing time with precision for all activities, particularly the opening ceremony, keynote lectures, and oral sessions.
-
Choosing a venue that is both prestigious and convenient for travel.
-
Integrating cultural and experiential activities into the congress program.
-
Designing at least three distinctive field trips that combine livestock industry insights with Vietnamese cultural heritage.
At the conclusion of the congress, the Vietnam Livestock Association was honored to receive the traditional flag of the Asian-Australasian Animal Production Congress from the President of the 20th Congress, officially marking Vietnam as the host of the 21st AAAP Congress in 2026. On this occasion, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Duong affirmed that this responsibility represents both a great honor and a major milestone for the Association. He emphasized the Association’s commitment to delivering a congress with breakthroughs in content, organization, and international significance, ensuring that the 21st AAAP Congress in Vietnam will be a memorable and impactful event.
Phương Nhung
Source: Vietnam Livestock Magazine