The 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18), held in Langkawi, Malaysia, reaffirmed the region’s collective determination to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development. With the participation of the Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh, the meeting recorded several important initiatives, in which Vietnam emphasized its principle of not trading the environment for growth, and was recognized for outstanding achievements in heritage conservation and green urban development.

On September 4 in Tokyo, the sixth Vietnam - Japan high-level agricultural cooperation dialogue took place, marking an important milestone in bilateral cooperation. During the event, both sides approved the Phase 3 medium-long term vision for agricultural cooperation, which sets directions for green development, digitalization, and climate adaptation in the coming years. At the same time, the Vietnam-Japan Public-Private Agricultural Dialogue Forum witnessed the signing of ten memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between businesses from both countries, moving from policy strategy to concrete action and opening prospects for practical and sustainable cooperation.

On August 10 in Incheon, Republic of Korea, the APEC Food Security Ministers’ Meeting convened with the participation of member economies. Representing Vietnam, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang emphasized the country’s ongoing policy innovations in the agri-food system and shared the pressing challenges that must be addressed to build a prosperous, sustainable, and responsible APEC region in the face of global food security concerns.

The participation of Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang at the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting 2025 in Incheon was not only an occasion for multilateral dialogue but also a platform for deepening bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea. On the sidelines of the conference, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang held a series of high-level meetings with Korean counterparts in agriculture, forestry, rural development, and fisheries. These exchanges carried strategic weight: they translated the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2022 into concrete programs for the period 2026-2030, while enhancing political trust and paving the way for sustainable development, digital transformation, and improved livelihoods for farmers in both countries.

During the official visit of the high-level Vietnamese Government delegation to Senegal, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Livestock of Senegal. The agreement not only affirms the strategic role of agriculture in bilateral relations but also creates opportunities to deepen South-South cooperation, contributing to addressing shared challenges in food security and climate change.

On July 23, as part of his working visit to Japan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Minh Ngan led a Vietnamese delegation to meet with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan. The meeting with Deputy Minister Amakawa Hirofumi and technical departments of MLIT reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening technical cooperation and knowledge exchange in the field of land administration—an area of strategic significance for sustainable development.

As part of his official visit to the Netherlands, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic activities to strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Netherlands in agriculture and environmental sectors, while also expanding connections with potential partners in the Middle East. Bilateral meetings, business dialogues, and participation in GreenTech Amsterdam 2025 highlighted Vietnam’s concrete efforts in transitioning toward a green, circular, and sustainable agricultural model.

Amid the global climate crisis and mounting geopolitical uncertainties, Vietnam is taking a proactive stance in shaping its future by restructuring its growth model around science, technology, and sustainability—an approach aligned with its pledge to achieve Net-Zero emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France from June 7-11, 2024, marked a new chapter in the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership, particularly in the areas of sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and energy transition.

From June 9 to 13, 2025, the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) took place in Nice, France, gathering heads of state and senior leaders from over 150 countries, along with representatives of international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Under the theme “Action for the Ocean - Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14,” the conference served as a crucial global platform to reinforce political commitments, promote concrete actions, and expand multilateral cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources.

As the Vietnam-United States comprehensive strategic partnership continues to expand in both scope and depth, the early June visit to the U.S. by Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy and the accompanying Vietnamese delegation marked a new chapter in bilateral agricultural cooperation. The trip yielded tangible outcomes, exceeding expectations in both trade value and strategic direction for sustainable development.

The working visit of Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy to the United States has entered an active and productive phase. On June 4 (local time), in the state of Ohio—one of the leading agricultural hubs in the U.S.—the Vietnamese delegation achieved significant initial results, particularly in agricultural trade cooperation and the shaping of policy commitments toward a fair and sustainable trade relationship between the two complementary agricultural economies.

During a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from May 15-16, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam held high-level meetings with key German partners to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environment. Taking place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations, the visit is expected to open new doors for market access, promote sustainable value chains, and boost the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products in the European market.

A Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, held a working session with South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and attended the 5th APEC ocean ministerial meeting (AOMM5) in Busan, South Korea on May 1.

Vietnam has reaffirmed its strong commitment to implementing the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) during the 2025 Conferences of the Parties (COPs), held in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of its efforts to promote the circular economy and combat plastic pollution.

As part of the official visit to Japan led by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy toured the Meguro Incineration Plant in Tokyo, Japan.

At the bilateral meeting between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Vietnam and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos, Minister Do Duc Duy and Minister Bounkham Vorachit discussed and evaluated the results of cooperation between the two Ministries in recent times. They also outlined future cooperation initiatives in resource management, environmental protection, and climate change response, with the goal of sustainable development for the mutual benefit of both countries and their peoples.

In a landmark ruling that has stirred both debate and dismay, a Philippine court has recently put the brakes on the production of genetically modified organism (GMO) Golden Rice. The decision comes against a backdrop of fervent discussions surrounding the safety and efficacy of genetically modified crops, particularly in a nation where rice serves as a dietary cornerstone.