Kick off 'Blue Horizon' project to develop sustainable seaweed value chain

On March 24, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued Decision No. 1000/QD-BNNMT approving the "Blue Horizon: Ocean Relief Through Seaweed Aquaculture" project, funded by the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF TF) through the World Wildlife Fund – United States (WWF-US). WWF serves as the GEF-accredited agency responsible for project management.

To officially introduce the project's objectives, activities, and implementation plan while strengthening collaboration and mobilizing the participation of stakeholders throughout the implementation process, thereby ensuring the project's effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability in Viet Nam, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment organized the kick-off meeting for the "Blue Horizon: Ocean Relief Through Seaweed Aquaculture" project in Hanoi on June 4.

Speaking at the project kick-off meeting, Mr. Pham Quang Toan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, said that the project will be implemented in Viet Nam and the Philippines to build a sustainable seaweed value chain that delivers environmental, economic, and social benefits. The project also aims to strengthen regional cooperation, facilitate the sharing of experience, and promote linkages among Southeast Asian countries to develop a sustainable seaweed industry.

Through activities focused on improving institutions and policies, enhancing management and technical capacities, building demonstration models, developing production–processing–consumption value chains, promoting market connectivity, and improving knowledge management, the project is expected to lay an important foundation for the development of Viet Nam’s seaweed industry in a modern, efficient, and sustainable direction.

The project will not only help concretize the orientations set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW but also directly support the implementation of the Project on Marine Aquaculture Development till 2030, with a vision to 2045. At the same time, it will contribute to fulfilling Viet Nam’s commitments on green growth, the circular economy, and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

"We expect the project to strengthen both the scientific and practical foundations for policymaking in the seaweed industry; attract investment, support business development, and expand markets; improve incomes and livelihoods for coastal communities; and gradually establish a seaweed industry capable of competing at both regional and global levels," the leader of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance emphasized.

Mr. Carter Roberts, President and CEO of WWF-US, stated that, from WWF’s perspective, the project holds particular significance for Viet Nam at present. Viet Nam is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries while also being among those most severely affected by climate change, especially in coastal areas and river deltas.

In addition, marine and coastal ecosystems are vital not only to the environment and biodiversity but also to livelihoods, food security, resilience to natural disasters, and long-term economic growth.

"What we highly value about this project is its practical approach, which closely aligns with current global trends by integrating nature conservation, local economic development, and climate change adaptation," Mr. Carter Roberts said.

Sustainable ecosystem-based development models, including seaweed farming and other nature-based solutions, are increasingly recognized as essential components of the sustainable green and blue economies.

Drawing on WWF’s experience in many countries worldwide, the unit found that investing in nature is not only an investment in the environment but also in the long-term resilience of the economy and communities.

When effectively implemented, such models can simultaneously create livelihoods for local communities, support carbon sequestration, improve environmental quality, reduce pressure on natural ecosystems, and open new opportunities for green value chains.

WWF-US has always had strong confidence in Viet Nam's role and commitment in addressing environmental and climate challenges at both the regional and global levels. We are also proud to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and our Vietnamese partners through this project.

WWF-US remains committed to providing technical support, sharing international experience, and promoting cooperation with relevant partners to ensure the project's effective implementation and its delivery of long-term sustainable impacts.

"With the strong leadership and close guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, together with the close coordination among government agencies, local authorities, communities, and partners, I am confident that the project will deliver practical and scalable results while making positive contributions to Viet Nam's sustainable development goals in the coming years," Mr. Carter Roberts emphasized.