Advancing the legacy of Vietnam - United States cooperation

On the afternoon of July 8, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy had a courtesy meeting with Mrs. Aler Grubbs - Mission Director of USAID in Vietnam, and Mr. Marc Knapper - U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, marking an important milestone in over three decades of cooperation between Vietnam and USAID.

Over 30 years of cooperation, from humanitarian aid to sustainable development

During the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his sincere appreciation for USAID's valuable support throughout more than 30 years of operation in Vietnam. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has received USAID-funded projects in areas including climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, and plastic waste management.

“The prospects for Vietnam - U.S. cooperation are very promising, especially after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the Minister affirmed.

The Minister shared: "Vietnam has gone through challenging periods, and clearly, individual efforts are obviously inadequate. We always need the companionship and support of the international community - from USAID as well as other international organizations. Tracing back over the past 30 years, it is evident that many issues are not solely of concern to Vietnam, but are shared responsibilities between the two nations. We can witness from overcoming the consequences of war or promoting sustainable investment in agriculture and environmental protection."

Mrs. Aler Grubbs, Mission Director of USAID in Vietnam, expressed her agreement with the Minister's remarks and highlighted several key milestones in USAID’s cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now institutionally merged into the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment). These included projects on forest monitoring technologies, endangered species conservation, camera trapping, and the Green List recognization for national parks. She emphasized that these are outstanding models that Vietnam should scale up nationwide.

She affirmed: “The conclusion of USAID’s operations does not mean the end of our cooperation; rather, we will carry forward the legacy of our bilateral partnership into the future.”

Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized: “We also hope to continue receiving strong support from the U.S. Embassy and USAID staff in mobilizing American investors to participate in rural development projects and support vulnerable communities, particularly farmers in disadvantaged areas.”

Vietnam stands ready to share its experiences in green and circular agriculture and looks forward to learning from the U.S. through investment projects that bring in advanced technological and technical solutions.

Recognizing Progress and a Long-Term Commitment

The Minister also expressed his hope that U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Marc Knapper, would continue to promote bilateral cooperation in key areas such as digital agriculture, cross-border agricultural, forestry, and fisheries supply chains, and support Vietnam in lifting the IUU “yellow card,” expanding models to reduce environmental pollution, and developing solar energy and ocean plastic waste treatment.

He underscored the desire for Ambassador Knapper to further strengthen the Vietnam - U.S. partnership across the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental pillars: “Both countries have strong agricultural sectors. We are not in direct competition, but rather, we complement each other,” the Minister affirmed.

"Since USAID presented over 30 years in Vietnam, we have witnessed economic progress, achievements in environmental management, educational development, as well as meaningful support for vulnerable groups and efforts to overcome the legacy of war. This year, we proudly celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S," shared Ambassador Marc Knapper.

According to Minister Do Duc Duy, Vietnam has made steady progress in poverty reduction, gradually securing food security, and at this stage, is demonstrating its international responsibility by contributing resources to global development. This, he noted, is an expression of gratitude and solidarity with nations facing challenges.

The Minister pledged: "We will continue to invest in and expand our support activities, so that every contribution we make carries even deeper meaning. The work of USAID and any international organization working for Vietnam’s prosperity will always be respected and acknowledged."

In recognition of Mrs. Aler Grubbs’ valuable contributions during her tenure in Vietnam, Minister Do Duc Duy, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, presented her with the Medal for the Development of Vietnam’s Agriculture and Environment.

This reward serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the dedicated efforts of both Mrs. Grubbs and the entire USAID team in supporting Vietnam’s overall development, particularly in the areas overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.