Viet Nam’s vision at APRC 38: One Health, blue economy, and green agriculture

From controlling transboundary diseases to transforming the fisheries sector, from combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to mobilizing climate finance for the “One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Linked to Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030” initiative, Viet Nam delivered a unified message that economic growth and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand.

Speaking at the 38th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC 38) on April 24, the Vietnamese delegation emphasized the need to build a transparent, sustainable and highly resilient agricultural sector capable of responding to mounting global challenges.

Through a series of thematic roundtables, Viet Nam highlighted three strategic priorities: advancing the One Health approach to manage transboundary diseases; attracting investment into low-emission agriculture through the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative; and promoting a blue transformation of the fisheries sector without sacrificing environmental sustainability for economic growth.

One Health as the foundation for managing transboundary risks

At the roundtable on One Health and transboundary diseases, Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director General of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said Viet Nam considers the One Health approach a fundamental framework for managing increasingly complex risks, ranging from animal diseases and plant pests to antimicrobial resistance and food safety concerns.

According to Tuan, climate change, ecosystem degradation and expanding global trade are intensifying the risks of zoonotic diseases, particularly those linked to wildlife consumption and illegal wildlife trade.

“Viet Nam sees One Health not merely as a matter of healthcare or agriculture, but as a comprehensive approach to safeguarding human, animal and ecosystem health,” he said.

Viet Nam is currently prioritizing stronger surveillance and forecasting systems for transboundary diseases, tighter control of antimicrobial resistance, improved biosecurity in livestock and aquaculture production, as well as biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest ecosystem management to reduce the risk of disease spillover from wildlife.

After more than two decades of implementing the One Health approach, Viet Nam said it has accumulated extensive experience in cross-sector coordination, policymaking and the development of best-practice models, and is prepared to share that expertise with regional partners through ASEAN cooperation mechanisms and FAO-led initiatives.

Hand-in-Hand Initiative seeks investment for low-emission agriculture

At the investment promotion roundtable, Viet Nam underscored its transition from an “agricultural production” mindset to an “agricultural economy” approach centered on green and digital transformation across the entire agri-food system.

Key initiatives presented by Viet Nam included the one-million-hectare low-emission rice project in the Mekong Delta, low-emission crop production models, sustainable marine economic development, forest development linked to biodiversity conservation, and the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program.

Vietnamese representatives stressed that greater transparency across value chains is essential to building investor confidence by improving traceability and demonstrating the sustainability potential of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fisheries products.

Viet Nam stated that FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative could serve as an effective mechanism for channeling investment into high-value sectors such as low-emission agriculture, climate finance, deep processing and agricultural logistics.

The delegation proposed attracting major corporations to invest in cold storage systems, quality inspection centers, logistics infrastructure and value-added agricultural processing. Viet Nam also called for the adoption of blended finance mechanisms combining public and private capital to strengthen supply-chain linkages and help smallholder farmers integrate into global value chains.

In addition, Viet Nam urged FAO to support connections with international financing sources such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), while assisting the country in improving its MRV systems, measurement, reporting and verification, and strengthening funding proposals for both the one-million-hectare rice initiative and the sustainable fisheries development program.

No environmental trade-offs for fisheries growth

At discussions on blue transformation, Viet Nam reaffirmed that sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development must be aligned with marine ecosystem conservation and the fight against illegal fishing.

Viet Nam repeatedly stressed that economic growth should not come at the expense of the environment. The fisheries sector, it said, must move away from unsustainable extraction practices toward responsible fisheries management capable of meeting increasingly stringent international standards.

One of the country’s major priorities is combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing while implementing the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) and strengthening seafood traceability systems.

“We are building a transparent, responsible and sustainable fisheries sector. This is not only a requirement of international markets, but also an obligation to future generations of Vietnamese fishers,” the Vietnamese representative said.

He also highlighted the role of mangrove forests and marine ecosystems in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, coastal protection and sustaining livelihoods for coastal communities. The country is actively participating in initiatives aimed at tackling marine plastic waste and restoring marine ecosystems.

A notable feature of Viet Nam’s blue transformation strategy is the integration of the One Health approach throughout the fisheries value chain, from disease control and reduced antibiotic use to stronger biosecurity and food safety standards.

According to Viet Nam, a biosecure fisheries sector not only protects public health but also strengthens the industry’s competitiveness in international markets, as environmental and food safety standards increasingly become mandatory conditions in global trade.

Accelerating the transition toward a sustainable bioeconomy in Asia-Pacific

Viet Nam identified the sustainable bioeconomy as a strategic pillar in transforming agri-food systems toward greener, more circular and lower-emission models.

The country is particularly focused on optimizing biological resources not only to ensure domestic food security but also to contribute to the stability of global bio-based supply chains.

Viet Nam is developing its bioeconomy by leveraging the country’s rich biodiversity and abundant natural resources across crop production, livestock, forestry, fisheries and water resources. This foundation, officials said, supports the expansion of ecological and regenerative agriculture models, the conservation of valuable genetic resources, and the advancement of nature-based solutions.