Vietnam and Japan cooperate to enhance natural disaster prevention and control capabilities

Ambassador Ito Naoki disclosed that Japan is currently actively exploring the possibility of collaborating with Vietnam to provide medium- and long-term support and implement humanitarian assistance to assist individuals in their recovery from natural disasters. Furthermore, Japan, through JICA (the Japan International Cooperation Agency), has the potential to foster collaboration with Vietnam in the area of improving disaster prevention and control capacity and capabilities.

The Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam suggested that cooperation could be pursued through ODA (Official Development Assistance) initiatives that are related to disaster prevention and could be expanded to other relevant areas with a medium- to long-term vision.

Ambassador Ito Naoki also requested that the MARD take into account and share Vietnam's needs to examine and consider specific issues for future Vietnam-Japan agricultural cooperation. The ambassador underscored the importance of close coordination in the implementation of collaborative collaborations under Japan's initiatives, including the "MIDORI" and the "MIDORI ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Plan," as well as the Zero Emissions Community.

Furthermore, Japan suggested that the MARD expedite the conclusion of technical procedures to facilitate the opening of Vietnam's market to Japanese grapes and the opening of Japan's market to Vietnamese pomelos.

Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed his approval and support for Japan's proposals and viewpoints. He recommended that both parties maintain a close working relationship to continue implementing the specific contents of the signed MOUs in the areas of irrigation, fisheries, forestry, rice value chains, standards and certifications for agricultural products and food quality, as well as disaster prevention and mitigation.

Minister Le Minh Hoan requested the early implementation and promotion of the JICA5 Project in relation to Japan's proposed ODA loan for the upcoming period. This project, "Improving Irrigation Systems in Coastal Provinces of the Mekong Delta to Adapt to Climate Change," is the sole proposed Japanese ODA loan for the agricultural sector in the upcoming period.

Minister Le Minh Hoan requested that Japan continue to assess the risks and parasites associated with passion fruits and milk-based avocados from Vietnam, in addition to pomelos and grapes. In the interim, Vietnam will shortly contemplate permitting the importation of Japanese peaches and pufferfish. In addition, the minister requested that Japan's agricultural sector officially contemplate the export of Vietnamese products to the Japanese market, including processed poultry, pet food containing poultry, and live monkeys.

The Minister of Agriculture also expressed his desire for Japan to support the "Sustainable Development of 1 Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Specialization Linked to Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030" project, which is divided into two components: capacity building for cooperatives and community-based agricultural extension forces.

After the meeting, Minister Le Minh Hoan requested that Japan continue the construction of a comprehensive SABO dam system in the northern mountainous region to mitigate the risks of flash floods and landslides, as well as to assist in the recovery from natural disasters, such as Typhoon No. 3.

Japan donated 40 water purifiers and 200 multi-purpose plastic tarpaulins to Yen Bai, one of the areas severely impacted by Typhoon No. 3, for a total value of USD 124,096 (equivalent to over 3.05 billion VND), on September 15th.