On the afternoon of May 9, Minister of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) Do Duc Duy had a cordial meeting with Dr. Rémi Nono Womdim, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Vietnam.
The meeting took place as Vietnam and FAO continue to strengthen strategic cooperation, with a shared focus on promoting sustainable agricultural development and advancing trilateral collaboration between Vietnam, FAO, and international partners.
Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his appreciation for FAO’s crucial contributions over more than 40 years in supporting agricultural development, resource management, food security, and improving the livelihoods of millions of Vietnamese farmers. He emphasized that, in the face of climate change and increasingly complex global challenges, Vietnam is pursuing a sustainable development path while fulfilling its international commitments on agriculture and climate change.
Minister Do Duc Duy met with Dr. Rémi Nono Womdim – FAO Representative in Vietnam on the afternoon of May 9. Photo: Quỳnh Chi.“The FAO’s framework and priority programs, such as sustainable agricultural innovation, building resilient agri-food systems, digital agriculture, the One Health initiative, and food safety for all, are essential. They provide a foundation to enhance benefits for small-scale farmers, improve food safety, and protect the environment,” Minister Do Duc Duy stated.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Rémi Nono Womdim announced that the approved budget for the FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2022–2026 has increased significantly to $39.2 million, a substantial boost compared to the previous period. He commended the close coordination between MAE, FAO, and relevant stakeholders, which has led to breakthroughs in mobilizing international resources.
Dr. Womdim also highlighted the success of trilateral cooperation, especially the establishment of the Food Systems Transformation Partnership. This platform fosters collaboration among the Vietnamese Government, international organizations, embassies, and enterprises to promote sustainable agricultural transformation. Additionally, One Health initiatives focusing on antimicrobial resistance control are being implemented effectively.
Notably, during the visit of the FAO Director General to Vietnam in February, MAE and FAO Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding to promote South-South and trilateral cooperation. Minister Do Duc Duy reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to sharing its experiences in agricultural and rural development with countries in Africa and Latin America under this framework. He also proposed that FAO help facilitate delegations from partner countries to visit Vietnam and exchange knowledge, particularly regarding the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) program.
Dr. Womdim expressed his appreciation for MARD’s open and cooperative approach, calling it an opportunity for Vietnam to showcase its successful agricultural transformation story to the international community. He pledged that FAO would continue serving as a bridge to foster multilateral cooperation between Vietnam, FAO, and global partners.
At the end of the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy awarded Dr. Rémi Nono Womdim the Medal for the Cause of Agriculture and Environment, in recognition of his significant contributions to Vietnam’s agriculture sector during his tenure.