Vietnam and the Netherlands to develop a new phase of green growth strategy

On June 10 (local time), Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien met and worked with Mr. Jean Rummenie, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands.

According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, over the past decade, Vietnam and the Netherlands have built a deep and effective agricultural cooperation relationship. The Netherlands not only has one of the world’s most advanced agricultural sectors but is also a trusted strategic partner of Vietnam in many fields: from improving infrastructure, transforming production models, to climate change adaptation and ensuring food security.

Last year, the two countries celebrated the 5th anniversary of implementing the Comprehensive Partnership Framework (2019 - 2024) and the 10th anniversary of establishing the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (2014 - 2024). This year marks the 15th anniversary of forming the Strategic Partnership on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management (2010 - 2025).

On this basis, the Deputy Minister proposed a cooperation strategy between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and the Netherlands in the agriculture-environment sector for the period 2025 - 2035, focusing on five key pillars. Among them, both sides will promote joint research projects on precision agriculture, development of climate-resilient crop and livestock varieties, with active participation from research institutes, universities, and enterprises of both countries.

Regarding the development of circular agriculture and sustainable value chains, MAE hopes to collaborate with the Netherlands on projects that reuse agricultural by-products and generate bioenergy. Building stable value chains from farm to table will contribute to reducing post-harvest losses, optimizing resource use, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

“I propose that Vietnam and the Netherlands strengthen cooperation in developing agricultural trade infrastructure, especially in building agricultural transshipment ports, modern cold chain logistics systems, and transparent quarantine and traceability mechanisms that meet international standards. This is a crucial foundation to enable Vietnam to participate more deeply in the global food supply chain and develop green-branded agricultural products that meet European standards.

In the coming time, both sides will continue to promote investment in agriculture, environment, and sustainable development, while facilitating the participation of private enterprises, startups, and public-private partnership (PPP) models. The two Ministries also need to establish a dialogue mechanism to promptly resolve obstacles, share practical experiences, and update global policy trends,” Deputy Minister Tien stated.

Regarding training and human resource development, he encouraged the two countries to establish expert exchange programs, vocational training, and agricultural technician education, while strengthening the role of high-tech agricultural vocational training centers connected with local production practices.

Deputy Minister Jean Rummenie highly appreciates the effective, substantive, and increasingly expanding cooperation between the two countries, especially between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands.

Listening to the sharing from the Vietnamese side, Mr. Rummenie expressed strong agreement with the direction to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, particularly the importance of developing high-quality human resources, promoting scientific and technological transformation, and innovation. “The Netherlands is ready to accompany Vietnam in building a green, circular, and sustainable agriculture, contributing to ensuring food security and responding to climate change in the region and globally,” Deputy Minister Jean Rummenie affirmed.

After the bilateral meeting, the delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment hosted the Vietnam - Netherlands agricultural cooperation, investment attraction, and agricultural trade seminar. The event connected 30 Vietnamese and Dutch businesses, associations, and organizations, especially those Dutch enterprises with strengths in science and technology.

As part of the official visit, Deputy Minister Tien attended GreenTech Amsterdam 2025 - the Netherlands’ leading event on agricultural and horticultural technology. There, the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Abdulaziz Almalik, Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation of Saudi Arabia.

Vietnam expressed its desire to promote chicken meat exports to the Saudi Arabian market, meeting the strict Halal standards. At the same time, Deputy Minister Tien proposed expanding seafood exports, especially shrimp, to capitalize on the cooperation potential and strong demand from the Saudi side.

Mr. Almalik agreed with Vietnam’s proposals regarding the development of product lines and food for the Middle Eastern market. On this occasion, he invited the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to attend the region’s largest agricultural event - the 42nd Saudi Agriculture International Exhibition, scheduled for October this year.