UK - Vietnam: Strengthening cooperation on environment, agriculture, biodiversity

(TN&MT) - On April 12, Ms. Thérèse Coffey - Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom visited Vietnam. The visit took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom (1973 - 2023), aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of environment, agriculture and biodiversity.

During the visit, Minister Coffey had a discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha on enhancing cooperation in combating the impacts of climate change. Minister Coffey expressed that the UK Government strongly supports and will assist Vietnam in strongly implementing activities to respond to climate change and protect biodiversity.

Minister Therese Coffey met and discussed with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha on strengthening cooperation to combat the impacts of climate change.

In Vietnam, the UK is implementing 7 official development assistance projects, with a total funding of more than £17.8 million. The projects are in the fields of: Forestry and carbon markets, promoting sustainable aquaculture and livelihood models, reducing plastic waste, protecting biodiversity, and especially the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), with the goal of helping Vietnam achieve its climate commitments and net zero emissions by 2050.

Minister Thérèse Coffey shared that the UK Government strongly supports and will assist Vietnam in strongly implementing activities to respond to climate change and protect biodiversity.

Minister Thérèse Coffey also met with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan to discuss bilateral trade in agriculture, food and beverages. On this occasion, the two Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement programmes under the UK Biodiversity Fund in Vietnam.

These programs will focus on promoting sustainable agriculture and livelihoods; green infrastructure; promoting ecotourism; and helping to address illegal wildlife trafficking. According to Ms. Thérèse Coffey, Vietnam is one of six “hotspots” for biodiversity and climate change globally that receive support from the Biodiversity Fund. The fund will support the promotion of sustainable livelihoods and nature protection in the lower Mekong region.

Signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding on implementing programs under the UK Biodiversity Fund in Vietnam

“As the UK and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, this commitment to biodiversity cooperation will strengthen bilateral relations and help both countries achieve the goals under the Global Biodiversity Framework,” Ms. Thérèse Coffey emphasized.

As part of her visit, Ms Coffey visited Cuc Phuong National Park, home to Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW), a non-profit organisation that rescues and conserves endangered wildlife. SVW has just received £1 million from the UK Government for a project to eradicate the illegal pangolin trade in Vietnam.

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