Former Director of ADB Vietnam received the Medal for Agriculture and Rural Development

On July 31, MARD Deputy Minister Hoang Trung endows the Medal of Agriculture and Rural Development to Mr. Andrew Jeffries, former Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Vietnam.

During three years working in Vietnam (September 2020 - April 2023), Mr. Andrew Jeffries contributed significantly to strengthening the partnership between ADB and MATD. This partnership plays a crucial role in helping Vietnam to overcome challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.

In recognition of Mr. Andrew Jeffries' contributions, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a Decision to endow the former Director with a Medal of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mr. Andrew Jeffries actively participated in high-level domestic and international forums to foster public dialogue and policy during his tenure. Some forums were chaired by the Central Economic Commission, the National Assembly and the Vietnamese Government. Mr. Ảnew Jeffries has made valuable contributions and recommendations on macroeconomic management policies, general policies and assessments for enterprises and people to overcome economic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2020, Mr. Andrew Jeffries held the position of Co-Chair of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership established by the MARD.

On behalf of the Partners, Mr. Andrew Jeffries mobilized international organizations to support 1 million USD to reduce risks from drought and saltwater intrusion throughout the dry season between 2019 and 2020 in the Mekong Delta. He also helped with mobilizing 55 international organizations to donate 25 million USD to help people in the Central region of Vietnam to overcome the aftermaths caused by historic floods in 2020.

In addition, he actively supported the preparation of the Climate Adaptive Integrated Flood Risk Management Project, which is estimated to cost about 200 million USD. The project is expected to be approved by the Prime Minister in 2024.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung commands: “During his term of office, Mr. Andrew Jeffries was always ready to coordinate with MARD and share crucial information about natural disaster prevention. He also actively called for the cooperation of international organizations at ADB key events in the past years.

Mr. Andrew Jeffries has fulfilled his role as a connection between ADB and MARD with excellence. His role ensured timely and comprehensive insights, as well as regular policy consultation and information exchange between the two sides. MARD leaders would like to thank Mr. Andrew Jeffries for his contributions to the national agriculture sector, especially in the area of disaster risk reduction in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung also wishes good health and luck to Mr. Andrew Jeffries in his new job for the Just Energy Transition Partnership – JETP, which was established by the International Partners’ Group and the Vietnamese Government to mobilize financial resources, ultimately supporting Vietnam in its journey to sustainable energy transition.

Mr. Andrew Jeffries recalled his memories when he first took office as the Director of ADB Vietnam. During the first few months, he worked with many leaders and officials from MARD and the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control.

He states that he is most proud of during his time in office is the cooperation between ADB and MARD as Co-Chairs of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership.

In October 2020, Vietnam dealt with a historical storm that left the Central region devastated. In response to the natural disaster, ADB and MARD rushed to act and mobilize emergency aid of 2.5 million USD to the Central region to recover local people from the aftermath.

At the same time, Mr. Andrew Jeffries is pleased to introduce his successor – ADB Vietnam Director Shantanu Chakraborty – who is committed to supporting MARD in the next few years.

Mr. Andrew Jeffries has 30 years of professional experience, including more than 15 years at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Prior to joining ADB in 2007, Mr. Andrew Jeffries held senior positions at private financial institutions, conducting structured financial transactions including project financing, equity and equity investments. preference shares, joint ventures, privatization, international project development and financial advisory services.

Mr. Andrew Jeffries is a citizen of the United States of America. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bucknell University, USA.