Receiving the Medal for the Cause of Agriculture and Environment, Danish Ambassador to Viet Nam Nicolai Prytz said the honor was not only a recognition of his personal contributions but also reflected the achievements of cooperation between Viet Nam and Denmark in agriculture, food systems, and sustainable development. During his tenure, he helped advance a number of important bilateral initiatives, particularly the Viet Nam–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership.
Officials highlight progress under green strategic partnership
On June 3, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung presented the Medal for the Cause of Agriculture and Environment to Danish Ambassador to Viet Nam Nicolai Prytz in recognition of his contributions to strengthening cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung said Viet Nam and Denmark have enjoyed a longstanding friendship built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
According to the deputy minister, a major milestone in bilateral relations was the establishment of the Viet Nam–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership in 2023. The framework serves as an important platform for promoting greenhouse gas emissions reductions, expanding renewable energy development, and supporting Viet Nam’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Deputy Minister Hoang Trung said the progress achieved through bilateral cooperation in recent years had benefited significantly from Ambassador Prytz’s contributions. He described the ambassador as an effective bridge connecting government agencies, businesses, localities, and people in both countries.
Ambassador Prytz said the launch of the Green Strategic Partnership was among the most significant milestones of his tenure in Viet Nam, alongside the Danish Royal Family’s state visit to the country in 2022. He noted that the framework had helped advance the sustainable growth ambitions of both countries while further strengthening bilateral ties.
Agriculture and food remain central to bilateral cooperation
Deputy Minister Hoang Trung said Denmark has extensive experience in green agriculture, circular farming, food safety, and marine environmental protection. These are among Viet Nam’s priority areas as it restructures its agricultural sector and pursues green growth objectives.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment highly values Denmark’s support in human resource development, capacity building for officials and experts in food safety and biosafety risk assessment, as well as efforts to strengthen business linkages and technology transfer between the two countries.
Ambassador Prytz said cooperation in agriculture and food has become one of the key pillars of the Green Strategic Partnership. Through various programs, Denmark has supported Viet Nam in developing a greener and more resource-efficient agricultural sector while promoting sustainable food systems.
According to the ambassador, about 100 officials and researchers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment have participated in training and study programs in Denmark over the past four years through the Danida Fellowship Centre under Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programs have provided an important foundation for knowledge exchange, professional capacity building, and expanded cooperation networks between the two countries.
Beyond agriculture, cooperation between specialized agencies of the two countries in natural resources management, geology, and marine and island environmental management has also produced positive results. Danish expertise and support have contributed to improving resource management and environmental protection efforts in Viet Nam.
Both sides see scope for broader cooperation
Ambassador Prytz said current global challenges are creating new demands for the agriculture and food sectors. Countries must find ways to produce more food while using fewer resources, ensuring food safety, and minimizing environmental impacts.
Against this backdrop, Viet Nam and Denmark have significant potential to expand cooperation in reducing food loss and waste, improving resource efficiency across food and feed value chains, and developing environmentally sustainable and more resilient food systems.
The ambassador also highlighted the growing importance of cooperation in food safety, antimicrobial resistance control, and the One Health approach, as the links between human health, animal health, and the environment become increasingly interconnected.
Referring to the bilateral strategic cooperation program in agriculture and food, Ambassador Prytz said the current program is scheduled to conclude in April 2027. However, he expressed confidence that the strong foundation of trust and mutual understanding built over many years would create new opportunities for cooperation in the years ahead.
Ambassador Prytz said he was honored to receive the Medal for the Cause of Agriculture and Environment, describing it as recognition not only of his own efforts but also of the achievements jointly built by Viet Nam and Denmark. Although his tenure in Viet Nam is drawing to a close, he said he would always maintain close ties with Viet Nam and expressed hope that bilateral cooperation would continue to deepen in areas such as green agriculture, sustainable food systems, food safety, and the green transition—key pillars of the Viet Nam–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership.
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