Opening of the Organic Asia Congress

On the morning of September 17 in Ninh Binh, the 8th Organic Asia Congress (OAC) 2025, themed “Organic for a better future,” officially opened.

The congress will take place from September 17 to 19, 2025. OAC is an international event held on a rotating basis among countries to promote sustainable agriculture, particularly organic farming. This year, Vietnam is hosting the congress for the first time.

The organizers stated that the 8th OAC welcomed over 400 delegates, including international participants from 33 countries and territories, comprising policymakers, experts, scientists, businesses, and agricultural development organizations. The event holds special significance in promoting Vietnam’s culture, people, and agriculture to the world, encouraging green investment, and fostering knowledge exchange in the process of environmentally friendly agricultural transformation.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mathew John, President of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements – Asian Regional Network (IFOAM-Asia), noted that OAC has been a flagship organic event since 2016, attracting IFOAM members from over 20 countries and regions within and beyond Asia.

“The first congress was held in South Korea, followed by China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and now Vietnam. Our co-organizer, the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association, is one of the most dedicated members of IFOAM-Asia.

“The global organic market has grown to over €135 billion, with China becoming the world’s third-largest organic market. Consumer demand is rising due to increasing awareness of the environmental and health benefits of organic agriculture, especially amid the growing pressures of climate change,” emphasized Mr. Mathew John.

Through this congress, Mr. John expressed his hope to gain a deeper understanding of the development of organic agriculture in Vietnam and explore ways to collaborate in bringing local products to Asian and global markets.

Mr. Tran Anh Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee, shared that the world is witnessing profound and complex changes. Climate change is becoming increasingly unpredictable, directly threatening food security, public health, and ecosystem balance. In this context, organic agriculture is no longer merely a trend but has become a strategic solution - a necessary path to ensure harmonious and sustainable development.

Vietnam, particularly Ninh Binh province, is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional agriculture is gradually shifting toward organic, ecological, and multi-value farming. The Communist Party and the Government of Vietnam have issued sound policies and strategies to promote this trend.

Decree No. 109/2018/ND-CP, Decision No. 885/QD-TTg, and the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress clearly prioritize the development of green, clean, and organic agriculture. Ninh Binh province has also identified this as a guiding principle and a strong driving force for its agricultural development.

Mr. Yoshikuni Watanabe, Mayor of Kisarazu City, Japan, said: “Over the past ten years, I have had the opportunity to attend many organic conferences and have gained a great deal of valuable experience. At this congress, I also shared the progress of organic agriculture in my city. I firmly believe that organic agriculture is the solution for the future, the key for us to overcome the difficulties and challenges the world is facing.”

Mr. Ha Phuc Mich, President of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association, emphasized that the main theme of this year’s congress is “Organic for a better future.” Vietnam has issued numerous policies and legal frameworks to support the development of organic agriculture, which have been strongly welcomed and promoted by provinces and cities across the country.

“We recognize organic agriculture as an inevitable trend, closely linked to the process of international integration. However, organic agriculture in Vietnam is still in its early stages, with many issues requiring continued discussion and the accumulation of experience from international partners. Vietnam’s honor in hosting the 8th Organic Asia Congress in 2025 will be an important opportunity to learn, share experiences, and foster connections and cooperation to promote organic agriculture in the region and worldwide,” Mr. Mich said.