The ISG Plenary Conference, co-organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), reaffirmed the strong commitment of international partners to Viet Nam’s agri-food system. The conference also identified opportunities for technical cooperation and appropriate financial support to help transform Viet Nam’s food systems toward greener, lower-emission and more sustainable development through cooperation and innovation.

The technical discussion session held on the morning of January 9, as part of the ISG 2025 Conference themed “Advancing a green, low-emission and sustainable food systems transition: Cooperation and innovation,” focused on reviewing implementation progress and clarifying key pillars of Viet Nam’s National Action Plan for a transparent, responsible and sustainable food systems transformation (FST-NAP) through 2030. Through policy updates, FAO’s technical support orientations and in-depth group discussions, the session identified critical bottlenecks and priority actions aimed at translating strategic commitments into tangible outcomes on the ground.

Viet Nam and Canada have agreed to strengthen practical cooperation in environment, clean energy, natural resource management, trade and investment, aiming toward green, low-emissions growth and sustainable development. The two sides described this cooperation as a long-term foundation for deepening bilateral relations amid global climate change and economic transformation.

Viet Nam and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation in developing and implementing the “Trade in Agriculture and Food Safety Expanded” (TAFSE) project under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress Program.

Reviewing the performance of the agriculture and environment sector in 2025 and the 2021–2025 period, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the Ministry’s growing role in integrating agricultural development with natural resource governance and environmental protection, contributing to Viet Nam’s socio-economic growth and international commitments.

Amid mounting environmental challenges across the region, Viet Nam continues to uphold its role as the national focal point and coordinator in ASEAN environmental cooperation, participating fully and responsibly in regional mechanisms and cooperation programs. At the same time, practical implementation has underscored the need to renew participation approaches, moving toward greater proactiveness and closer alignment with national policy priorities.

After one year of implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has completed a large volume of tasks related to science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, with no overdue assignments. At a review conference held on December 23, participants assessed initial results while highlighting key challenges and priorities for the next phase, as the focus shifts from task completion to generating tangible impacts for governance, production, and livelihoods.

In 2025, international cooperation across Viet Nam’s agriculture and environment sector was carried out with unprecedented intensity and an increasing emphasis on substance. From policy advisory on international integration to market access negotiations and the resolution of trade barriers, the year’s results demonstrate that international integration is no longer confined to expanding external relations, but is gradually emerging as a key lever for mobilizing resources and opening new pathways for sustainable development across agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental management.

At a year-end review of the Department of Science and Technology on December 22, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highlighted science and technology as the key drivers shaping the future of Vietnam’s agriculture and environment sector.

During a working session with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Viet Nam, James Nickel, on December 17, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang affirmed that the two sides will continue to expand agricultural trade cooperation, while strengthening joint efforts toward sustainable development and effective climate change response.

As plastic pollution increasingly emerges as a development challenge, Viet Nam is facing an urgent need to mobilize and effectively utilize resources to support the transition toward a circular plastics economy. At the 7th Implementation Working Group Workshop of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Viet Nam, held on December 16, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, together with development partners, announced the Financial Roadmap for Plastic Action toward 2030. The roadmap estimates investment needs of USD 7.5–8.5 billion, while underscoring the role of multi-stakeholder cooperation in linking policy, finance, and practical implementation solutions.

As the Viet Nam–United Kingdom Comprehensive Partnership continues to be strengthened, cooperation in climate change response, green transition, and sustainable development has been identified by both sides as a key priority, contributing to the shared goals of Net-Zero emissions and sustainable growth.

At a working session with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Viet Nam on December 15, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang expressed appreciation for the Swiss Government’s proposal on cooperation in carbon credit exchange under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. He emphasized that international carbon credit exchange would support countries in fulfilling their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) while working toward the shared goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

On December 12, during a meeting with Mr. Tsutomu Takebe, Special Advisor to the Japan–Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang affirmed that high-quality human resource development is a key pillar for elevating agricultural cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan. In a context where the two countries demonstrate clear complementarities in labor and technology, cooperation in education and training linked with practical experience and entrepreneurship has been identified as a strategic direction.

On December 9, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep received Mr. Lee Choong Yun, Vice Chairman of S-TEC SYSTEM Co., Ltd., to officially receive a donation of VND 2 billion to support residents of Dak Lak province in recovering from recent natural disasters. This contribution represents timely and heartfelt solidarity from the enterprise towards the affected communities.

The USD 2 million emergency grant underscores ADB’s commitment to supporting Viet Nam in disaster response and assisting central provinces hit hard by recent storms and floods in overcoming difficulties.

On November 26 in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh met with a delegation from the EU–ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham). The dialogue took place as Vietnam accelerates its green transition and strengthens its legal framework for sustainable development—creating new space for European businesses to expand cooperation in circular economy initiatives, carbon markets, recycling, and smart agriculture.