Proposing Canada's assistance in enhancing biodiversity and smart farming

Deputy Phung Duc Tien commended the Canadian government for its assistance with food safety and cooperative development-related initiatives. 

The "Vietnam Cooperative Enterprise Development" initiative has assisted in the formation of five cooperatives with 2,298 members along the value chain. The "Food Safety for Development" project supports the development and enforcement of food safety regulations based on science and a risk-based approach; aims to increase food safety awareness among consumers and promote behavior change leading to a rise in the demand and consumption of safe and affordable agricultural products in Vietnam. The fourth Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems Program was recently held in Hanoi, The Deputy Minister also wished to receive Canada's support in this field.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien also proposed that Canada assist the ministry in implementing the climate change adaptation plan and digital transformation; capacity building, vocational training programs, and scientific research capacity building.

MARD and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding cooperation with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in order to contribute to enhancing agro-trade between the two countries by establishing a mechanism for resolving issues in the field of SPS. Since then, obstacles and barriers to agricultural product market access have been eliminated.

In addition, the Deputy Minister addressed Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and its contribution to regional peace and security. Vietnam is currently a participant in the Global Initiative on Green Growth, Low Emissions, and Resource Conservation, and the Ministry has coordinated with the World Economic Forum to implement two major initiatives: the Food Innovation Hub of ASEAN and 100 million low-emission farmers. 

The Vietnamese delegate requested assistance from the Canadian side in enhancing biodiversity, smart agriculture with climate change, and circular agriculture; sustainable food chains, improving malnutrition, particularly in ethnic minority and mountainous communities, and constructing carbon markets in the agro-forestry sector.

Weldon Epp, Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia) for Global Affairs Canada, expressed his opinion regarding Vietnam's green growth and sustainable agricultural objectives.

"We greatly value the Government of Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions and achieving climate change resilience targets". Mr. Epp stated that Canada is committed to exploring opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam in the areas of science and technology, as well as applications for ecological development and sustainable development.

Canada has a strong commitment to supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. To date, Canada has not met all of its main resource obligations. Mr. Epp aims to find opportunities in the future to support the region and Vietnam with programs and initiatives in this field.

Vietnam is currently the ASEAN country with the highest trade transaction with Canada, according to the Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia) for Global Affairs Canada. This is primarily due to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

Mr. Epp anticipated that, under the terms of this agreement, the two parties would have more opportunities for scientifically-based technical cooperation, with a concentration on resolving regulatory and legal issues between the two nations.

Within the framework of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Canadian government intends to promote the construction and negotiation of a free trade agreement with ASEAN, one of the specific activities being the establishment of the Canadian agricultural office in ASEAN.

This facility is staffed by representatives from the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture, the Canadian Food Safety Inspection Agency, a group of veterinary experts, plant protection specialists, and scientists operating in the region. As a result, Canada is able to work closely with the Vietnamese side from a technical standpoint to swiftly resolve problems involving SPS and other trade issues.

The Canadian side looks forward to working with Vietnam to promote other agricultural products such as potato plant seeds, pork products, pet food products, and meat and bone meal from ruminants on the Vietnamese market.