Realization of opportunities for agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and the world

During the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, stressed that Vietnam's agriculture sector still faces numerous obstacles in its development. Therefore, to reduce the distance between countries and capitalize on cooperative prospects in agriculture worldwide, MARD set up this conference.

"In order to effectively capitalize on these opportunities, we must ensure that we are well-prepared by acquiring information and overcoming geographical barriers," Minister Le Minh Hoan stated.

The agriculture sector's leader expressed a keen interest in engaging in discussions with representatives from other nations to bolster trade, scientific and technological exchanges, investments, and other related areas within the field of agriculture.

After consulting with agricultural counselors from over 10 nations, Minister Le Minh Hoan acknowledged that the parties now have a greater understanding of each other's strengths, aspirations, and anticipations.

The Minister emphasized Vietnam's aspiration to establish friendly relations with all nations and to actively participate in international community endeavors as a responsible member.

During the working session, the Minister highlighted his desire to engage in more focused discussions regarding cooperation mechanisms in trade, investment, scientific and technological collaboration, as well as new initiatives in agriculture.

He asserts that in every sector, there exist bilateral trade relations between Vietnam and other nations, encompassing not just the exchange of commodities and services, but also the interweaving of various products that capitalize on each other's advantages.

The Minister also stated that sustainable growth is now a universal demand across all industries and sectors, encompassing factors such as food safety, traceability, and geographical indicators.

"Each product must be manufactured with transparency and accountability towards the environment, as well as responsibility towards society." Mr. Le Minh Hoan highlighted that in the future, people will not only purchase products, but also the methods by which those products are produced.

The Minister also discussed the development of smallholder farmers, particularly in countries that have similar circumstances to Vietnam, at the meeting with agricultural counselors from over 10 countries.

Given the conditions, Vietnam requires technical guidance or resource assistance from countries that are more advanced. This can lead to the realization of the potential and chances for future agricultural cooperation. It is feasible to assess and enhance the content and collaborative initiatives between Vietnam and other nations shortly.

"Following this conference, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will consolidate the prevailing concerns and make arrangements for a more extensive discourse with you, in order to attentively receive input from all stakeholders," Minister Le Minh Hoan declared.

Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the International Cooperation Department (MARD), stated that Vietnam's agriculture is transitioning from focusing on quantity to prioritizing quality, value, and sustainable growth through a diverse and abundant agricultural product system.

"Vietnam can cultivate a wide range of agricultural products, particularly tropical fruits, and is progressively establishing ecosystems to support agricultural value chains," stated Mr. Tuan.

Vietnam is currently transforming its food and nutrition system, with a focus on transparency, responsibility, and sustainability, taking advantage of local resources. The goal is to provide strong food security and national nutrition.

This transformation involves shifting towards more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems that ensure access to nutritious and safe food for all while minimizing environmental impact and promoting economic viability for producers. It often requires changes in policies, practices, technologies, and consumer behavior to create more efficient, inclusive, and environmentally friendly food systems.

This is accompanied by rising earnings and enhancing people's quality of life. It also involves disaster prevention and response, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. Additionally, it contributes to the realization of Vietnam's and global sustainable development goals by 2030.

Therefore, Vietnam's agricultural development strategy places a strong emphasis on facilitating a comprehensive transition towards environmentally sustainable practices and reducing emissions. Concurrently, efforts to enhance logistics and distribution systems, optimize the business environment, and foster robust information-sharing mechanisms will be top priorities. By prioritizing these initiatives, Vietnam aims to create a resilient and competitive agricultural sector that not only meets domestic needs but also contributes to global food security and sustainability goals.