Vietnam - UAE strategic cooperation in green transformation and food security

On the afternoon of April 16, on the sidelines of the P4G Summit, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, Do Duc Duy, met with Amna bint Abdullah Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, for a high-level dialogue. This marked a step forward in the partnership between the two countries, not only in agriculture and the environment, but also in shaping a shared vision for sustainable development.

Advancing comprehensive cooperation strategy

At the start of the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy stressed the event’s significance and shared updates on Vietnam’s recent decision to merge its agriculture and environment ministries. This bold reform supports a green, inclusive, and sustainable development path. It also lays the groundwork for stronger ties with partners like the UAE, who share similar priorities.

Both ministers reaffirmed the value and potential of the two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed in 2023. These focus on climate change response, biodiversity protection, and diversifying food supplies. Minister Do Duc Duy stated: “We fully support the proposal to establish a joint working group to turn our commitments into concrete actions and deepen our cooperation.”

During the discussion, Minister Do Duc Duy praised the UAE’s achievements. Despite agriculture contributing just 1% to GDP, the UAE has become a hub for innovation in sustainable development and renewable energy in the Middle East. As the region’s second-largest economy, the UAE is reducing its reliance on oil and actively shaping its future through its “Eastward” strategy.

Meanwhile, Minister Amna bint Abdullah Al Shamsi highly commanded Vietnam's role in the Asia-Pacific region and considered Vietnam an ideal partner to develop global initiatives jointly. From transferring waste treatment technology, developing energy from waste, to building a circular economy model in agriculture, the UAE is ready to share experiences and invest resources.

In particular, Minister Amna bint Abdullah Al Shamsi invited Vietnam to join the Mangroves for Climate Alliance and the International Renewable Energy Agency, expressing the desire to build a long-term strategic relationship, not only in terms of economics but also in terms of global responsibility for the climate.

Agricultural cooperation: From Halal markets to regional food security

In the agricultural sector, the UAE is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Gulf region, with a trade turnover of forestry and agricultural products reaching about 5 billion USD/year. However, the proportion of agricultural and aquatic products is still modest, only about 5%, showing that there is still a lot of room for growth.

Vietnam is stepping up production to serve the Halal market - a field in which the UAE has experience and a large network. Minister Do Duc Duy affirmed his desire to receive technical support and investment from the UAE to develop high-quality Halal products that meet international standards, opening the “golden door” to the global Muslim market.

In addition, the One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Project in the Mekong Delta - a highlight of Vietnam's agricultural circular economy strategy - is calling for investment capital and green technology from international partners, with the UAE being a leading candidate.

In response, the Emirati Minister confirmed that she will work with UAE’s specialized agencies to support Vietnam. The UAE Minister will also discuss with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam so that, in the shortest time, Vietnamese agricultural products can have deeper access to the Halal market in the UAE.

Also at the meeting, the two Ministers agreed that both Vietnam and the UAE are moving towards strong commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The relationship between Vietnam and the UAE is entering a period of clear transformation, from a traditional economic partnership to a strategic partnership in green transformation and food security. With a trustworthy political foundation, a common goal of sustainable development, and commitment from the two countries' senior leaders, the future of Vietnam-UAE relations is expected to not only reach far in the region, but also leave positive influence on the global cooperation map.

P4G Summit (Hanoi, April 15-17, 2025), themed "Sustainable and people-centered green transition,” is the largest multilateral high-level event on green growth hosted by Vietnam in the 2021-2026 period. Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper (VAN) will update regularly Vietnam's strong commitments, proactive role, and international responsibility at the P4G Summit.