Minister Tran Duc Thang: MAE is committed to sustainable development goals

On the afternoon of October 29, during the National Assembly’s discussion session on the assessment of the 2025 socio-economic development plan and the proposed plan for 2026, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang presented a report addressing several issues raised by National Assembly deputies.

Frequent natural disasters, unwavering efforts to overcome challenges

At the beginning of his remarks, Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed his gratitude to National Assembly deputies for their attention and support toward the areas under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s management, while also outlining the difficulties and challenges the sector is currently facing.

“Since the beginning of 2025, the global situation has remained complex and volatile, with many difficulties directly affecting the performance of the sector. Domestically, alongside certain favorable conditions, climate change and extreme weather events have caused severe losses in both human lives and property,” the Minister said.

According to the report, natural disasters since early 2025 have left 256 people dead or missing and caused economic losses exceeding 61 trillion VND (around 2.4 billion USD). Provinces from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai have suffered from exceptionally severe flooding, with average rainfall ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 mm. In Hue City alone, total rainfall reached 4,476 mm, including a record-breaking 1,740 mm on October 27—the highest ever recorded. This resulted in more than 10 deaths and missing persons as well as extensive economic damage.

In response to these challenges, the entire agriculture and environment sector has remained proactive and resilient, working to “overcome obstacles and remove bottlenecks” under the leadership of the Party, the National Assembly, and the Government, with strong coordination from ministries, sectors, local authorities, and the united efforts of farmers and businesses.

According to Minister Tran Duc Thang, during the first nine months of 2025, the sector achieved a growth rate of 3.83%, with most key indicators either meeting or surpassing their planned targets.

Total export turnover of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries reached 52.31 billion USD, with a trade surplus of nearly 16 billion USD - reaffirming the sector’s role as a “key pillar of the national economy” and a major contributor to Viet Nam’s trade balance.

Beyond agriculture, significant progress has also been made in environmental management, as well as in the sustainable governance of mineral resources, seas, and islands - contributing positively to the country’s overall socio-economic development.

Frankly addressing existing limitations

Alongside the achievements, Minister Tran Duc Thang acknowledged that the sector has been candid in identifying several shortcomings and limitations, such as unstable growth, low quality and competitiveness of certain agricultural products, and the slow progress of green and modern agriculture.

Food safety management remains inadequate in some localities. The Minister cited specific issues, including limited progress in granting planting area codes and testing for carimid and auramine residues. Four testing laboratories are currently suspended but will soon be reinstated.

The agricultural export market is also facing mounting challenges as countries strengthen protectionist measures and technical barriers. Notably, the United States has recently imposed retaliatory tariffs on certain imports from Viet Nam.

In addition, administrative procedures related to land, as well as the restructuring and efficiency improvement of agro-forestry enterprises, remain sluggish. Environmental pollution and the management of land, water, and mineral resources have yet to meet expectations.

Particularly, the establishment of the carbon market, which was planned for pilot operation by the end of 2025, has progressed slowly and fallen short of expectations.

“The capacity to respond to and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and climate change is facing major challenges, requiring more comprehensive, fundamental, and resolute implementation of solutions,” the Minister emphasized.

2026-2030: Toward green development and double-digit growth

Looking ahead, Minister Tran Duc Thang stated that the 2026-2030 period will serve as a pivotal phase for the agriculture and environment sector to “confidently enter a new era of development,” aligning with the nation’s goal of achieving double-digit growth while pursuing a green and sustainable path.

The sector has set out 18 specific targets to be achieved by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 3.5-4% identified as one of its key priorities.

To realize these goals, Minister Thang noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has led and advised the Government in submitting four major proposals to the National Assembly at this session:

First, the Law amending and supplementing 15 existing laws in the fields of agriculture and environment focuses on three key areas: developing policies suited to the two-tier local government model; continuing to streamline administrative procedures and investment conditions; and removing bottlenecks to pave the way for strong growth from 2026 onward.

Second, the amendment to the Law on Geology and Minerals aims to ensure the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, contributing to the country’s economic development.

Third, the drafting of a National Assembly Resolution seeks to address obstacles and inconsistencies in implementing the 2024 Land Law. Once approved, together with the completion of the national land database by 2026, land resources will truly become a vital driver for sustainable development.

Fourth, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has submitted a proposal for a National Target Program that integrates three major initiatives: New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.

Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that if these policies are approved by the National Assembly, “the key issues raised by deputies, from environmental protection, land and mineral management, disaster prevention, and water resources to marine economic development, will be fundamentally addressed, creating a solid foundation for the nation’s sustainable growth in the coming period.”

* USD 1 = VND 26,330, Vietcombank, October 30, 2025.