Substantial and sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia in fisheries

On August 7, under the official high-level visit of Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue to Indonesia, Deputy Minister of MARD Hoang Trung joined a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia Sakti Wahyu Trenggono. 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam Hoang Trung was sincerely received by the Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. 

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung praised the bilateral meeting between the two ministries, particularly in light of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam and Indonesia's strategic partnership.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung commended the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia for supporting and promoting bilateral cooperation between the two nations in general, and fisheries cooperation in particular. 

The Deputy Minister, Hoang Trung, offered the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia a set of initiatives aimed at strengthening the broad, profound, and substantial cooperation as well as promoting sustainable cooperation and development consistent with the positions of both parties. 

On this basis, the Deputy Minister of MARD expressed his desire to promote cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia in three main fields: science - technology, and commerce in fisheries, particularly with lobster seedlings, tuna, and seaweed; the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MARD and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia in fishery cooperation; and the Agreement on establishment of hotline between MARD and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of 

Specifically, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung recommended that Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono consider and direct specialized agencies for the two Ministries to concur on the Certification on quarantine, information, and updated epidemic and epidemic control situations. On this basis, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung also requested that Indonesia open its market to export lobster seedlings to Vietnam and agree to the Prescribing conditions, including submitting a list of eligible enterprises, participating in supply, import, and export, and constructing an effective management mechanism to ensure origin traceability.

Regarding seaweed cooperation, MARD anticipates the two parties to conduct joint scientific research and share technologies for the cultivation, processing, and trade of high-quality seaweed varieties. 

For tuna cooperation, the Deputy Minister proposed that the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries facilitate direct connection and cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries, without going through those of a third nation. 

He also requested that the signing of the MoU between the two Ministries for fisheries cooperation be expedited. In the near future, the two parties should resume periodic meetings of the Joint technical committee on fishery cooperation. In addition, the two parties must communicate and share information regarding the exploitation of seafood in order to encourage fishermen to engage in sustainable and stable exploitation and to protect their livelihoods. To strengthen trade exchange and cooperation between the two countries, it is also crucial to organize forums and conferences on trade promotion and market development. 

Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono concurred with Deputy Minister Hoang Trung's suggestions to expedite the agreement and signature of the MOU between the two Ministries for fishery cooperation. Mr. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated that he anticipates signing the MoU with MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan as soon as possible this year. 

For the Agreement on the establishment of a hotline between the two Ministries in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung stated that the Vietnamese Government has implemented missions and solutions to combat IUU with constant attention, efforts, and great political determination. 

MARD requested that the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries establish a Joint working group on law enforcement and information sharing between the two parties, conduct annual meetings, and create a unified mechanism to address the arising marine situations and IUU. The two parties have appointed a liaison to facilitate direct communication and advice between the two Ministries, particularly shortly after reaching an agreement on the terms of the Agreement establishing the hotline. 

In addition, the two parties should exchange and update information in the spirit of cooperation with ASEAN nations, and deal with violations in the spirit of fisheries humanity for fishermen from both countries without criminalizing violations. Deputy Minister Hoang Trung proposed that the two ministries strengthen their cooperation, particularly within the ASEAN framework, regarding regional and global marine fisheries.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister also believed that the high-level visit of Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue to Indonesia and this bilateral meeting between the two Ministries would pave the way for cooperation and collaboration between management agencies, scientists, enterprises, and fishermen of the two countries to gain access to new technologies, new trade exchange opportunities, and experience in the application of advanced technologies on seafood products. For the sake of a "transparent, responsible, and sustainable" food supply and the mutual interests of the two countries, maritime and IUU issues will be resolved expeditiously in the spirit of friendship.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the leaders of the two ministries instructed the specialized agencies and focal points to be prepared to coordinate, finalize, and unify the content of the MoU.