At the signing ceremony. Photo: UK embassy in Vietnam

Vietnam and the UK officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation on the UK's Biodiverse Landscapes Fund on April 12.

The Biodiverse Landscapes Fund will focus on encouraging sustainable livelihoods and agriculture models; reducing poverty; promoting ecotourism; and tackling the illegal wildlife trade.

The signing is within the framework of the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Thérèse Coffey's visit to Vietnam, Nong Nghiep (Agriculture) newspaper reported.

“This is one of the new areas of collaboration, which is of tremendous relevance to the concerns of countries in the region and the world. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is dedicated to devoting suitable resources and instructing specialized authorities to coordinate and arrange the execution of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund most effectively, satisfying the practical needs and expectations of both parties. Alongside, I guarantee to direct and organize a Steering Committee to work with the UK side and implement the Memorandum of Understanding in accordance with the commitments between the two ministries," said Minister Hoan.

Coffey also met Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan to discuss bilateral trade in agriculture, food, and beverages.

Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs highly appreciates the support of Vietnam as the host country of the last negotiation round between the UK and CPTPP members. Photo: UK embassy in Vietnam

Hoan stated that Vietnam is pushing the agricultural space shifting along the lines of economic thinking, assuring transparency, and sustainability, and adjusting to climate change and market volatility. While the institutions in the domains of agriculture and fishing are being enhanced.

Nevertheless, the Minister also pointed out a number of issues in several areas such as forest space governance, preservation of natural environment sustainability in the forestry and maritime sectors, and lack of traceability technologies among others. Thus, Vietnam requires nations such as the UK to support to the development of the ability of forestry and fisheries management to adapt to the new requirements of the international market.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also underlined that the UK was willing to help Vietnam with a wide range of issues including IUU, and forestry among others.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received the British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, VNA reported.

At the meeting in Hanoi, Deputy PM Ha appreciated assistance from the UK and other G7 countries joining the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) for Vietnam to realize the commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

He highly valued the cooperation in multiple fields between the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and agencies of the Vietnamese Government, noting that in recent years, the two sides have promoted ties related to global solutions such as implementing measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, conserving biodiversity and forest, building smart cities, protecting landscapes, shifting crop structures, minimizing food losses, and developing e-commerce platforms.

Ha called on the British Government to assist Vietnam to make a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of energy transition, carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction measures, adapt to climate change, and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) and British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Therese Coffey at their meeting in Hanoi on April 12. Photo: VNA

Voicing Vietnam’s support for the target of protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030, the Deputy PM said this target requires strong cooperation and new conservation methodology and mindset of all countries.

He asked the two countries to enhance collaboration to seek ways to develop their economies in tandem with recovering ecosystems and conserving biodiversity so as to obtain sustainable development.

In terms of energy transition, he suggested the UK help Vietnam boost researching and developing renewable energy projects, especially offshore ones, to replace coal-fueled thermal power plants, while giving technological support for operating the national energy system when the rate of wind and solar energy is increasing.

Besides, the host expressed his hope that the UK will actively transfer scientific and technological advances to help Vietnam develop agriculture sustainably. He also called for favorable conditions for agricultural and fishery products to access each other’s markets.

At the meeting, Coffey thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

She affirmed that her country is ready to cooperate with and assist Vietnam to deal with challenges so as to soon achieve net zero emissions as committed at COP26.

The Secretary of State noted the UK’s willingness to share its approach to resources in economic development and cooperate with Vietnam within the global biodiversity framework and other spheres.

Applauding the Southeast Asian country’s efforts against illegal wildlife trade, she said the UK is also ready to work with Vietnam in this field to raise public awareness of the wildlife’s importance to the environment.

Regarding the two countries’ memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the biodiversity fund, Coffey said she hopes both sides will continue supporting each other to reduce biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change impacts at the local and trans-boundary levels, and realise international commitments.

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