IFAD celebrates 30 years of cooperation to improve and enhance the lives of rural people in Vietnam

On October 24, an event marking three decades of cooperation between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Vietnam was held in Hanoi, with the participation of representatives from relevant ministries, the United Nations, international organizations and development partners.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam highly appreciated the long-term cooperation between IFAD and the Government of Vietnam to change the lives and livelihoods of rural people in Vietnam.

IFAD kỷ niệm 30 năm hợp tác cải thiện và nâng cao đời sống người dân nông thôn Việt Nam

The event marked three decades of cooperation between the International Fund for Agricultural Development and Vietnam, in Hanoi . (Source: Organizing Committee)

Mr. Tran Thanh Nam said: "The long-term cooperation between IFAD and Vietnam has played an important role in promoting sustainable development in rural areas.

With IFAD's support, we have seen significant improvements in agricultural productivity and poverty reduction, which has also facilitated greater empowerment of rural communities."

IFAD Vice President Guoqi Wu emphasized: "IFAD's commitment to Vietnam is not only about economic development.

As a country vulnerable to climate change, we are prioritizing climate change adaptation for smallholder farmers. Providing opportunities for communities to adopt climate change adaptation methods, along with equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge.

Our approach has enabled rural women and youth, including ethnic minority beneficiaries, to actively participate in sustainable development."

Over the past 30 years, IFAD has supported more than 16 projects in Vietnam, mobilizing more than 788 million USD in investment to improve the lives of more than 735,000 households.

These projects focus on activities that have a high impact on the poorest and most disadvantaged areas in rural areas, helping to address the new challenges and opportunities of a lower-middle-income country where economic structures are changing and urbanization is increasing.

Mr. Ambrosio Barros, IFAD Country Director in Vietnam, affirmed: "Our partnership with Vietnam is characterized by shared goals, mutual trust and high-quality interventions.

We have focused on market-driven innovations, organizational reforms and policy proposals, as well as capacity building for local governments, farmer groups and local communities. We are proud to have brought about great changes, reduced poverty and improved livelihoods for people."

IFAD support has helped create new jobs, increase incomes and facilitate the formation of savings and credit groups, promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

Mr. Guoqi Wu further noted that in the future, IFAD's partnership with Vietnam will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring the full participation of the most vulnerable groups in society.

IFAD will continue this journey with Vietnam, leveraging and deepening this partnership to build a more equitable, sustainable future that leaves no one behind.

Currently, IFAD is investing 86 million USD in Vietnam, spread across two ongoing projects: the Business Support Project for Household Farmers in Bac Kan and Cao Bang (CSSP) and “Development of Smart Agricultural Value Chains to Respond to Climate Change in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Provinces (CSAT).

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations. Based in Rome, Italy – the UN’s food and agriculture hub, IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and build resilience.

Since 1978, IFAD has provided more than $24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to support projects in developing countries.

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