Viet Nam, Ireland strengthen cooperation on green cooperative development

According to VnBusiness, the delegation held meetings with representatives of Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI).

During the discussions, both sides exchanged experiences in implementing Food Vision 2030, Ireland's national strategy for developing a sustainable food system. The strategy emphasizes innovation, green transition, and close collaboration among the government, cooperatives, and businesses to enhance agricultural value.

The delegation also explored Ireland's policies supporting cooperatives in strengthening governance, fostering innovation, meeting quality standards, and achieving sustainable development in line with European market requirements. Both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in training, expert exchanges, and the development of pilot cooperative models in Viet Nam.

The delegation also introduced the Total Feeling project by the Sai Gon Green Economy Cooperative, a specialty coffee initiative that integrates agroforestry, landscape conservation, and product traceability. The project attracted interest from Irish partners for its sustainability-oriented approach and its potential to meet demand in Europe's premium market.

On the same day, the delegation met with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Ireland to discuss ways to strengthen connections between the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance and Irish government agencies, businesses, and research institutes in the fields of sustainable agriculture, innovation, trade promotion, and EU market expansion.

Chairwoman Cao Xuan Thu Van called on the embassy to continue facilitating partnerships, promoting products from Vietnamese cooperatives, and providing market intelligence, import standards, and cooperation opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of the collective economic sector.

According to the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance, the visit not only opened up new opportunities for collaboration but also provided valuable international insights into green agricultural development and modern cooperative systems.

With a population of more than five million, Ireland is regarded as one of the world's leading examples of high-value agriculture, built on strong partnerships among the government, businesses, and cooperatives. Globally recognized agricultural brands such as Kerrygold originated from farmer cooperatives. The Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance hopes to study and adapt this model to enhance the value of agricultural products and promote sustainable development in Viet Nam.