Vietnam and Switzerland to establish a mutual green action plan

On July 8, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The meeting served as an opportunity for both sides to strengthen cooperation and develop an action plan for the upcoming period in the fields of agriculture and environment, on the occasion of the two countries’ upcoming 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

At the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy warmly welcomed the Ambassador Thomas Gass on his visit, and greatly appreciate his continued support and commitment to strengthening the partnership between our two countries.

Minister Do Duc Duy affirmed that Switzerland was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Recently, the two countries have upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership. Switzerland is currently ASEAN’s fourth-largest trading partner and ranks 20th out of 150 countries and territories with direct investment in Vietnam.

In the field of agriculture, Vietnam and Switzerland have been cooperating since 1993, maintaining and actively developing the partnership through various programs and projects. Notably, these include the project on Enhancing Compliance Capacity and Quality Standards for Tropical Fruit Value Chains in Vietnam, and the Mekong Delta Climate Resilience Programme (MCRP), which is implemented through GIZ.

In September 2024, Switzerland promptly approved a support package worth 1 million CHF (approximately 1.2 million USD) to assist communities affected by Typhoon Yagi. In addition, Switzerland proposed sending a team of experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to support Vietnam in areas such as water and sanitation, emergency shelter, and post-disaster recovery.

The leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment expressed sincere gratitude to the Swiss Government for its valuable support in disaster prevention and response for Vietnam in recent times. These cooperation programs have played a crucial role in enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to climate change, protect rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector.

The Minister also expressed his hope for the Ambassador’s support in advancing the development of direct cooperation programs between the Swiss Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam.

On the Swiss side, Ambassador Thomas Gass reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to accompanying and supporting the promotion of cooperative activities under the framework of the 2025 - 2028 program. He emphasized the goal of further increasing the total bilateral trade turnover, which had already exceeded USD 811.2 million in 2024.

Switzerland and Vietnam are expected to promote practical and effective support activities in areas of mutual interest, such as: developing and applying technical standards, quality, and food safety requirements aligned with EU market demands; facilitating technology transfer, innovation, and digitalization in agricultural value chains; strengthening disaster risk prevention and management capacity; and implementing environmental protection and emission reduction solutions in agricultural production.

Regarding the 2025 - 2028 cooperation program, it will focus on three main pillars: promoting sustainable trade and innovation; strengthening sustainable public and private finance; and fostering the development of smart industries and urban areas that are resilient to climate change.

The Ministry will develop a number of specific cooperation proposals, and we sincerely hope to continue receiving your attention, engagement, and support, Mr. Ambassador, in order to realize the cooperation initiatives under the framework of the 2025 - 2028 program.

Concluding the meeting, the Minister affirmed that, with the solid foundation of the Comprehensive Partnership, as well as the trust and goodwill from both sides, cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland in the fields of agriculture and environment will continue to grow strongly and effectively to deliver tangible benefits for the people of both nations and making a positive contribution to global sustainable development goals.

The two sides also place a strong focus on sustainable development, deep processing, and the application of advanced technologies in agriculture. Special priority is given to the protection of natural resources, combating climate change, and improving the quality of life for the people.