Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien on April 10 presented the “For the cause of Agriculture and Environment” insignia to Dr. Pawin Padungtod, Senior Technical Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Viet Nam, in recognition of his contributions to advancing the One Health approach, strengthening veterinary systems, and promoting sustainable livestock production.
A decade of support to disease surveillance and response capacity
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that during nearly a decade of work in Viet Nam, Dr. Pawin had made notable contributions across multiple areas, including strengthening disease surveillance systems, laboratory development, field epidemiology training, biosecurity in livestock production, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention and control.
He played a key role in promoting the One Health approach, enhancing coordination among the health, agriculture, and environment sectors. These efforts helped improve Viet Nam’s capacity for early detection, early warning, and effective response to infectious disease threats, contributing to the protection of public health and food security.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, training programs, surveillance systems, and policy frameworks developed with Dr. Pawin’s support are expected to deliver long-term benefits. He has been regarded not only as an international FAO expert but also as a trusted partner with sustained engagement in Viet Nam’s agriculture and public health sectors.
Dr. Pawin said he was honored to receive the insignia, describing it as recognition not only of his individual efforts but also of the FAO team’s contributions in supporting Viet Nam. He expressed appreciation to the ministry and development partners for their effective and long-standing cooperation.
He also spoke of his strong personal connection to Viet Nam, describing it as a “second home” for his family. He noted that the country’s high-quality human resources and strong commitment to sustainable development have driven notable achievements, including the implementation of One Health initiatives and the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, positioning Viet Nam as a regional leader in these areas.
Drawing on his experience in international cooperation, Dr. Pawin highlighted three key factors for success: solutions tailored to local contexts, sustained partnerships, and investment in human resources as a foundation for long-term development.
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien expressed hope that in his new role, Dr. Pawin would continue to mobilize international knowledge, resources, and initiatives to support Viet Nam in building a modern, safe, and sustainable agriculture sector.
Long-term partner helping strengthen Viet Nam’s regional role
Since beginning his tenure in Viet Nam in 2016, Dr. Pawin has contributed to strengthening disease surveillance and control capacity. Through FAO-supported programs, Viet Nam has implemented active surveillance for avian influenza, swine influenza, and emerging pathogens in high-risk areas such as live bird markets, slaughterhouses, and border areas. The data collected have supported risk assessment, vaccine selection, and policymaking for disease prevention and control.
He also contributed to the development of the Vietnam Animal Health Information System (VAHIS), helping standardize reporting processes, improve data management, and strengthen early warning capacity. The application of advanced diagnostic technologies, including field-based PCR testing, has enabled rapid detection of dangerous virus strains, improving surveillance and response effectiveness.
In addition, he provided technical advice on the development and implementation of national disease control plans for major diseases, including avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, and rabies, helping reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission.
In human resource development, Dr. Pawin supported the design and implementation of field epidemiology training programs such as AVET and the Regional Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (R-FETPV), strengthening the professional capacity of Vietnam’s veterinary workforce. He also played a key role in modernizing laboratory systems through infrastructure upgrades, staff training, and the application of international assessment tools, enhancing testing and diagnostic capacity.
He further promoted sustainable livestock production by supporting biosecure farming models, disseminating good animal husbandry practices, and advocating responsible antimicrobial use. These efforts have helped reduce disease risks, curb antimicrobial resistance, and improve production efficiency. He also supported the development of traceability systems in selected value chains and strengthened wildlife management to reduce zoonotic disease risks.
Dr. Pawin made important contributions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention and control in Viet Nam, including involvement in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan in the agriculture sector for 2017–2025, while promoting research and international cooperation under the One Health approach. As a key international partner of the One Health Partnership, he supported policy dialogue, resource mobilization, and multisectoral collaboration, contributing to enhancing Viet Nam’s standing in the region and globally.
Through more than 27 projects with total funding exceeding $22.9 million, Dr. Pawin has contributed to strengthening the veterinary system, enhancing national health security, and promoting international integration of Viet Nam’s agriculture sector.
With broad, sustained, and far-reaching contributions, Dr. Pawin Padungtod has been recognized as a leading expert in the veterinary field and a trusted partner supporting Viet Nam’s efforts to build a modern, safe, and sustainable agriculture sector.
National Assembly on April 8 approved the appointment of Standing Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung as Minister of Agriculture and Environment for the 2026–2031 term, with all deputies present voting in favor.
At a regular press briefing on April 1, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is stepping up the application of remote sensing technology in resource and environmental monitoring to improve governance capacity, enhance early warning systems, and support policymaking. The move comes as the sector maintains growth momentum, with agro-forestry-fishery exports rising 5.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. Officials said advancing science and technology would serve as a key foundation for sustainable development in the coming period.
At the first National Conference on Science and Technology for Livestock and Veterinary Development, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said science and technology are not only drivers of growth but decisive factors shaping productivity, quality and the sector’s position. He also outlined key priorities for research institutions, regulators and businesses in the coming period.
Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and partners from the U.S. state of Ohio have signed a memorandum of understanding on soybean cooperation, aiming to expand trade, secure feed supply chains, and promote technology transfer, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung said at a meeting on March 27.
Building on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in September 2023, Viet Nam and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are advancing cooperation in agriculture and environment, focusing on smart agriculture, agri-product trade, fisheries, and cross-border disease control, with the aim of developing seamless and sustainable supply chains.
