Building on decades of partnership, the support of Australia and New Zealand provides a solid foundation driving Viet Nam toward a modern, globally integrated agricultural model.
As part of General Secretary and State President To Lam’s high-level diplomatic activities in Australia and New Zealand, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dang Ngoc Diep held meetings with key partner agencies to promote cooperation in agriculture, the environment, and green growth.
In Australia, Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep held working sessions with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The discussions focused on market access for agricultural, forestry and fishery products; strengthening research and technology transfer; developing green, low-emission agriculture; and expanding cooperation in the marine economy.
Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep holds a bilateral meeting with Victoria Anderson, Executive Minister of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Photo: ICD.Deepening Viet Nam - Australia agricultural cooperation
At a meeting with Victoria Anderson, Executive Minister of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, on the afternoon of August 11, 2026, Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep said the signing and exchange of cooperation documents between the two ministries marked an important milestone, providing a foundation for more substantive and effective agricultural cooperation between Viet Nam and Australia.
The two sides agreed to prioritize sustainable, green and low-emission agriculture and climate change adaptation; scientific and technological research and application; digital transformation and smart agriculture; value chain development and increased added value for agricultural products; and the marine economy.
Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep called on relevant agencies from both countries to soon translate the cooperation priorities into specific programs and projects, maintain regular exchanges, and promote activities that generate tangible economic value.
Market access for agricultural products was also a key focus. Australia asked Viet Nam to accelerate procedures for eligible kangaroo and deer meat production and processing establishments seeking to export to Viet Nam. In the opposite direction, Viet Nam called on Australia to facilitate market access for Vietnamese limes, bird’s nests and bivalve mollusks, while exploring the transfer of Australian kangaroos and deer to Viet Nam for official breeding.
At a meeting with Dr. Nick Austin, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), later that afternoon, the two sides spoke highly of the outcomes of agricultural research cooperation and the completion of the 2026-2035 Cooperation Strategy between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and ACIAR.
Viet Nam asked ACIAR to continue prioritizing research programs that support the transformation of food systems toward greener, low-emission, and climate-resilient models; promote the circular economy and environmental protection; advance digital transformation; and support sustainable natural resource management. Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep also emphasized the need to expand the application of artificial intelligence, big data, digital technologies and biotechnology in agriculture, while strengthening business participation in the transfer and commercialization of research outcomes.
A new area of cooperation proposed by Viet Nam was the marine economy and high-tech aquaculture, with a focus on strengthening links between ACIAR and Vietnamese research institutes and universities in research, human resource development and technology transfer to support the development of the marine economy.
General Secretary and State President To Lam and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon witness the exchange of a MoU on cooperation in agriculture and environment between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries. Photo: VNA.Expanding cooperation with New Zealand on green agriculture and environmental protection
In New Zealand, Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep met with Ray Smith, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), a position equivalent to the deputy minister level.
The two sides spoke highly of their cooperation in agriculture, plant and animal quarantine, food safety, scientific research, smart agriculture, climate change response, environmental protection and sustainable development. The signing and exchange of the new cooperation document between the two ministries provides a foundation for expanding collaboration in line with the framework of the Viet Nam-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep called on the two ministries to soon develop an Action Programme for 2026-2030, clearly identifying priority activities, focal points for coordination and mechanisms for periodic review, while maintaining regular dialogue between the two ministries.
Priority areas include low-emission agriculture, food system transformation, climate-smart agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, the circular economy, the marine economy and sustainable natural resource management. Regarding market access, the Deputy Minister called on New Zealand to open its market to additional Vietnamese products, including cut flowers, Ri6 durian, passion fruit and lychee.
Viet Nam also proposed strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, big data, digital technologies, biotechnology, and emissions-reduction technologies; and connecting research institutes, universities, businesses, and localities in the two countries to develop applied research projects and bring scientific and technological advances into agricultural production.
Turning cooperation frameworks into tangible results
Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep’s activities in Australia and New Zealand demonstrate that agricultural and environmental cooperation between Viet Nam and the two partners is shifting toward a stronger integration of trade with science and technology, innovation, green transition and human resource development. In particular, the Deputy Minister called on Australia and New Zealand to support the development of marine economy programs at universities under Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The new cooperation documents and frameworks provide a basis for the parties to develop specific programs and projects, expand markets for Vietnamese agricultural products, access international technologies and expertise, and mobilize additional resources for green, low-emission and climate-resilient agriculture while promoting the marine economy.
The priority going forward is to quickly translate the agreements reached into concrete action plans and projects, thereby deepening Viet Nam’s cooperation with Australia and New Zealand in agriculture and environment in a substantive, practical and effective manner.