Viet Nam, Norway establishing a green strategic partnership

On February 10, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung held a bilateral meeting with Norwegian Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust. The discussions reflected the shared determination of both sides to further deepen Viet Nam - Norway cooperation and to look ahead to the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1971 - 2026).

Shared vision for the blue economy

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung informed that the Memorandum of Understanding on a Green Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Norway’s Ministry of International Development has been largely finalized in terms of content.

According to the Ministry’s leadership, the sector’s five-year development plan closely follows major orientations on green growth, climate change response, and sustainable development, in line with the spirit of the documents of the 14th National Party Congress. In this context, the blue economy has been identified as a key driver for the coming period.

Deputy Minister proposed that, drawing on its experience, Norway support research and development of offshore wind power in tandem with marine ecosystem conservation, particularly coral reefs and seagrass beds. Both sides agreed to continue exchanges of technical expert delegations to share experience and introduce technological solutions in marine aquaculture, broodstock development, equipment, and modern management systems for offshore farming areas.

“Developing the blue economy is one of our strategic priorities, in which the legal framework plays a foundational role in ensuring effective governance. Harnessing marine potential must go hand in hand with long-term conservation and preservation of marine ecosystems,” he affirmed.

Minister Åsmund Aukrust noted that both Viet Nam and Norway have long coastlines and abundant ocean potential, providing a strong basis for enhanced cooperation in fisheries resource management, renewable energy development, and the reduction of marine plastic waste.

He expressed his hope that the two Ministries would soon sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Green Strategic Partnership, while reaffirming Norway’s commitment to continued technical assistance and practical experience-sharing in implementing the legal framework for National Marine Spatial Planning.

Forest resource management and climate change adaptation

Norwegian Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust commended the positive cooperation outcomes between the two countries in forest protection, forest governance, and carbon credit development.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung stated that Viet Nam has issued a number of legal regulations to lay the groundwork for establishing and developing the carbon credit market. Initial steps have been taken to calculate and determine carbon credits in the forestry sector, creating a foundation for cooperation and carbon credit transactions. However, he emphasized that Viet Nam needs to further exchange experience with international partners in order to both ensure sustainable forest development and effectively tap into its economic value.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung expressed his hope that Norway would continue supporting Viet Nam in engaging more deeply in international mechanisms and institutions in the forestry sector; sharing experience in refining the legal framework and providing technical assistance to ensure the effective operation of the domestic carbon market; and facilitating access to international climate finance through both bilateral and multilateral cooperation channels.

The Minister also welcomed Viet Nam’s active participation in international climate change forums, while acknowledging the proactive efforts of the Government and local authorities in implementing climate response measures.

The Deputy Minister further noted that, in order to proactively and effectively adapt to climate change, the Government has assigned the Ministry to develop a comprehensive master plan to secure resources for implementing solutions addressing saltwater intrusion, land subsidence, extreme weather, and storms and floods. At the same time, the Ministry is working closely with each locality to formulate specific plans to enhance preparedness for increasingly complex climate patterns and extreme weather events each year.

Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam Hilde Solbakken acknowledged and highly appreciated the positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation in the forestry sector, noting that Viet Nam has made significant progress in developing forest-based carbon credits. She affirmed that Norway will continue to promote and expand cooperation programs with Viet Nam on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.