General Secretary To Lam awarded the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

(Dan Tri) - On behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam presented the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on the morning of November 12.

General Secretary To Lam presents the First Class Labor Medal to the Agriculture and Environment sector (Photo: Thong Nhat - VNA).

At the 80th Anniversary Ceremony of the Agriculture and Environment Sector and the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress , this morning, Mr. Pham Huy Giang, Head of the Central Emulation and Commendation Committee (Ministry of Home Affairs) announced the President's decision to award the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment .

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam awarded the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

General Secretary To Lam presents the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (Photo: Tung Dinh).

Top 15 largest agricultural exporting countries in the world

“The past 80 years (1945-2025) have been a difficult but extremely glorious historical journey; an epic of the willpower, intelligence and creative working spirit of generations, which have contributed to building a green, strong and developed Vietnam,” Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang emphasized in his opening speech.

This important event, according to Mr. Thang, is an opportunity to express deep gratitude to generations of cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers who have devoted themselves to the industry; at the same time, summarize valuable lessons and experiences, as well as honor typical advanced collectives and individuals at the industry's first Patriotic Emulation Congress.

Minister Tran Duc Thang presented the opening speech (Photo: Tung Dinh).

Right from the early days of the country's founding, amidst countless hardships, President Ho Chi Minh advised: "If our farmers are rich, our country will be rich, if our agriculture is prosperous, our country will be prosperous" . He also emphasized: "Nature has given us land, water, forests, seas, and climate to live. We must know how to preserve, respect, and develop".

Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed that these sacred teachings have become the guiding principle for all policies of the Party and State over the past 80 years to build "prosperous agriculture, wealthy farmers, civilized countryside, and sustainable environment".

Vietnam has entered the top 15 largest agricultural exporting countries in the world.

In particular, the National Target Program on New Rural Development (since 2010) has fundamentally changed the face of rural areas, with more than 78% of communes meeting standards, infrastructure improved, and people's lives improved. The multidimensional poverty rate has decreased from 58% (in 1993) to 4.06% (in 2024). "This is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of agricultural, farmer, and rural development policies," said Mr. Thang.

National strategies on green growth, environmental protection and climate change response have also been vigorously implemented. Many major programs such as: Planting 5 million hectares of new forests, One billion trees... have achieved remarkable results.

Environmental protection has become a pillar of sustainable development, not trading the environment for economic growth. As a result, social awareness has been raised, forest coverage has been maintained at over 42%, many ecosystems have been restored, and environmental quality has been improved.

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment informed that in 2024, Vietnam will rank 54/166 in sustainable development, up 34 places compared to 2016, second in ASEAN after Thailand. The rate of collection and treatment of household waste will reach nearly 97.3% in urban areas and more than 83% in rural areas... Thereby contributing to ensuring ecological balance and national resource security.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment merged with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to form the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment from March 1. Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that this is an important historical milestone, demonstrating the strategic vision and political determination of the Party and State in managing, exploiting and promoting national resources more effectively, meeting development requirements in the new period and era.

5 key tasks and solutions for the coming time

Entering a new stage of development - the era of national development, our country is facing profound changes of the times. In the coming time, Minister Tran Duc Thang said that the Agriculture and Environment sector will focus on implementing 5 groups of key tasks and solutions.

Firstly, perfecting the modern, unified governance model and institutions. Comprehensively reviewing and amending laws on land, water, forests, environment, climate and agriculture to ensure consistency and transparency. Perfecting the model of a streamlined, multi-sectoral ministry capable of strategic planning and comprehensive management by region, basin and ecosystem.

Vietnam has entered the top 15 largest agricultural exporting countries in the world (Photo: Bao Ky).

Second, develop ecological agriculture, green and circular economy. Shift strongly from extensive growth to sustainable values ​​based on science, technology and innovation. Replicating low-emission models, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management. Establishing green standards, enhancing the brand of Vietnamese agricultural products associated with traceability, geographical indications and carbon credits.

Third, manage and use national resources effectively and sustainably. Economically exploit land, water, forests, minerals, and seas for long-term development. Ensure water security, especially in transboundary basins such as the Mekong. Digitize and publicize natural resource and environmental data, and improve governance based on results and evidence.

Fourth, promote science and technology and digital transformation as a driving force for breakthroughs. Apply artificial intelligence (AI), big data, sensors, and blockchain in resource monitoring and smart agriculture. Promote research on climate-adaptive plant and animal varieties; support start-ups and innovation ecosystems in rural areas.

Fifth, improve governance effectiveness and mobilize resources for green transformation. The apparatus must be streamlined, and staff must have solid expertise and strong character, meeting the requirements of multi-sectoral management. Unlock domestic and international resources, especially climate finance, new-generation ODA, and private capital for green investment...

Minister Tran Duc Thang requested all cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers in the industry to continue promoting the glorious 80-year tradition.

“Each individual in the industry needs to uphold the spirit of responsibility, solidarity, creativity, and competition to excellently complete assigned tasks; contributing to realizing the goal of building ecological agriculture, modern countryside, civilized farmers, sustainable environment, and making our country develop rapidly, sustainably, and powerfully,” Mr. Thang hoped.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-trao-huan-chuong-lao-dong-hang-nhat-cho-bo-nnmt-20251112112607203.htm