During a working session on April 8, Minister Do Duc Duy and Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty, ADB Country Director for Vietnam, agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture and the environment.
Dam safety management, ensuring transboundary water security and sustainable use of water resources, sustainable forestry development, mangrove ecosystem restoration, and socioeconomic development support for mountainous regions and particularly disadvantaged communes are among the key areas identified for potential collaboration. These projects aim to help Vietnam attain its national sustainable development goals.
Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty stated that the ADB's primary goal is to assist Vietnam's agriculture and environmental sectors in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, lowering carbon emissions, and improving marine ecosystem protection and water security.
Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty, ADB Country Director for Vietnam, works with Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy. Photo: Kieu Chi.ADB currently has sufficient financial resources to make loans to both the government and the private sector. Over the last two years, the bank has increased lending and anticipates continued close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MARD-MONRE) to strengthen its position as Vietnam's strategic national partner (2023-2026).
The ADB Country Director also stated that the bank is prepared to support the development of agricultural value chains and crop diversification to increase economic value, particularly within the framework of the Mekong Delta's sustainable development project for one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation aligned with green growth through 2030.
Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty emphasized that he will continue to support Vietnam's agriculture and environment sector. Photo: Kieu Chi.ADB is also particularly interested in flood risk management, which is strongly related to environmental protection measures, such as attempts to improve urban air quality. Furthermore, the bank collaborates closely with Vietnam on projects involving the Gulf of Thailand and marine habitat conservation.
Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his profound appreciation to ADB for its practical and proactive assistance to Vietnam's agriculture and environmental sectors.
He highlighted that in the coming term, the Ministry will continue to develop and deepen cooperation with ADB in order to efficiently implement priority programs and projects.
Minister Do Duc Duy speaks at the meeting. Photo: Kieu Chi.Minister Duy also stated that the use of digital technology in agriculture, particularly in transitioning the rice sector to greater openness, accountability, and sustainability, is a top priority for Vietnam. These components should be successfully integrated into ADB's climate change response initiatives to optimize overall impact.
He underlined Vietnam's specific interest in river basin planning, carrying capacity studies, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. The Ministry believes that the ADB will assist Vietnam with planning, infrastructure investment, and timely implementation of critical measures.
ADB and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will step up preparations for project programs before the first quarter of 2026. Photo: Kieu Chi.MARD-MONRE also intends to seek ADB's technical expertise and financial resources to carry out green public transportation system transformation projects targeted at improving urban air quality management and increasing public engagement.
The Minister agreed with the ADB's ideas and expressed optimism that the bank will continue to support the implementation of technical and financial components, as well as provide flexible loan methods.