Embracing a 'New Companion': Agricultural Diplomacy

Editor’s Note: Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper is honored to present the speech by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan during the Plenary Session on Economic Diplomacy within the framework of the 32nd Diplomatic Conference, themed "Promoting the pioneering role, building a comprehensive, modern, strong diplomacy, successfully implementing the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress," held on the morning of December 21. The editor provides the title.

"Vietnamese rice plants have attended school, matured, and triumphed. It can be said that now Vietnamese rice honors its ancestors," declared a Professor, illustrating the journey of indigenous rice—ever-willing to learn, seamlessly 'integrating' with the world, and exuding confidence in yield, quality, and delightful taste on par with other nations. The robustness of rice conveys the profound and intimate connection between the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture sectors.

A significant event unfolded recently in Hau Giang province. Initially planned as the Rice Industry Festival in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Festival took a qualitative leap, expanding in scale and stature by adding the term "international," per the Prime Minister's suggestion. Vietnamese rice plants and grains forged closer, livelier connections with international partners and friends.

Our heartfelt thanks extend to the Prime Minister, the Leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors, and Heads of Vietnamese Representative Agencies abroad for their enthusiastic support in introducing and promoting the Festival. Their efforts in extending invitations to delegates worldwide significantly contributed to the success of this vibrant gathering in Hau Giang, Vietnam.

Implementing Directive 15 on Economic Diplomacy for National Development until 2030, with a focus on strengthening inter-sectoral coordination and concretizing the Government's Action Program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development took a significant step last August by signing an action plan on economic diplomacy to advance the development of the Agricultural sector. 

The action plan encompasses six key tasks:

- Expand the market for agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.

- Mobilize and effectively exploit resources for agricultural development.

- Enhance the effectiveness of product promotion and advertising.

- Improve the effectiveness of international economic integration and foster new forms of cooperation.

- Communicate, promote, and develop agricultural product brands.

- Conduct research, provide advice, and offer information to support the Agriculture sector.

Presently, the information flow connecting the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture sectors remains consistently updated through various work exchange channels. The appreciation is extended to Ambassadors and diplomatic agencies abroad for their valuable sharing and suggestions. Information on market demands for agricultural products in potential markets, global consumption trends, and worldwide green commitments significantly assists both personally and the Ministry's specialized agencies in establishing vital foundations for promptly recording, adjusting, and responding to movements in accordance with new global trends.

In exploring history books beyond their representation of the court and the country, many Vietnamese envoys, alongside diplomatic duties, diligently researched and acquired crafts to pass on to the people, becoming revered "craft ancestors." In Thuong Tin, Hanoi, the founder of numerous embroidery villages in the North, Dr. Le Cong Hanh, stands as a testament to this legacy. Detained in a high-rise building, he meticulously disassembled each line of embroidery on a ritual plate to learn the art, subsequently teaching the people of his hometown Quat Dong village, and gradually expanding the knowledge to other villages.

Just as ancient envoys brought back crafts, today's ambassadors hold the potential to bring back agricultural models, knowledge, and quintessence from other nations, thereby enriching our villages and farmers.

The special edition of The World and Vietnam Newspaper, commemorating the 32nd Diplomatic Conference, opens with an article featuring a thought-provoking title: "A Transforming World." As the wind blows outside, the ethos of thought, perspective, and approach remain open to integration and embracing new concepts across various disciplines and fields, aligning with evolving development trends. Could it be the opportune moment for economic, cultural, multilateral, and multi-channel diplomacy to welcome a "new companion": Agricultural Diplomacy? A form of diplomacy intricately linked with promoting sustainable agricultural development, ensuring food security, and maintaining nutritional balance.

Participating in foreign affairs events has provided a profound impression of national and local leaders passionately and proudly introducing each tangerine and grape. In many countries, it appears that market thinking, marketing, advertising, and foreign affairs thinking seamlessly blend, transcending distinctions between businesses, farmers, or state apparatuses. It becomes evident that the exchange of agricultural products extends beyond mere trade; it serves as a platform for introducing and promoting the local image and the country at large. The cultivation of a national brand is achieved by showcasing the image of the country's agriculture and its diverse array of agricultural products.

Notably, many agricultural products, OCOP products, and handicraft items from rural craft villages in Vietnam proudly serve as high-level foreign gifts bestowed on international friends by Party and State leaders. These offerings convey a powerful message: "Vietnamese agriculture: Converging values - Spreading culture."