Viet Nam and New Zealand are strengthening cooperation in agriculture, food security, green agriculture and agricultural market access, while preparing for APEC 2027.
Late on August 24, in Hangzhou, China, on the sidelines of the 11th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting, Viet Nam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung held a bilateral meeting with New Zealand’s Minister for Food Safety and Biodiversity Andrew Hoggard to discuss bilateral cooperation and preparations for APEC 2027, when Viet Nam will assume the host role.
Viet Nam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung held a bilateral meeting with New Zealand’s Minister for Food Safety and Biodiversity Andrew Hoggard to discuss bilateral cooperation and preparations for APEC 2027, when Viet Nam will assume the host role. Photo: Khuong Trung.At the meeting, Viet Nam proposed priority areas for APEC 2027, including promoting regional food security; developing sustainable food systems; advancing green and low-emission agriculture; and addressing climate change. Viet Nam expressed its hope that New Zealand would support these objectives.
Regarding market access, Viet Nam asked New Zealand to facilitate market access for key Vietnamese agricultural products, including durian, passion fruit and lychee.
For durian, a current challenge is that New Zealand has yet to establish import standards and quarantine procedures. To open the market to a new fruit, quarantine requirements need to be established based on the identification of pests and diseases in accordance with international standards.
Minister Trinh Viet Hung speaks with Minister Andrew Hoggard. Photo: Khuong Trung.The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in environment and smart agriculture, focusing on reducing methane emissions, developing climate-smart agriculture, and building sustainable food systems. New Zealand has advanced experience and technologies in these areas and is willing to share them with Viet Nam.
Regarding science, technology and training, Viet Nam proposed expanding exchanges of students and experts, providing high-quality human resources with training opportunities in New Zealand, and strengthening cooperation in technology and environmental fields. New Zealand is currently supporting dairy farms in Viet Nam through cooperation programs with high-tech farms. New Zealand experts are sent to Viet Nam every six months to provide training for staff and specialists at dairy farms.
Minister Andrew Hoggard speaks during the bilateral meeting with Minister Trinh Viet Hung. Photo: Khuong Trung.In addition to food security, the two sides emphasized the importance of ensuring food safety, maintaining hygiene and safety standards, preventing diseases and bacterial contamination in products, and developing common food safety standards within the APEC framework. These efforts aim to minimize difficulties in international trade, maintain consumer confidence and protect public health.
New Zealand is currently supporting several countries across the Asia-Pacific region through training programs for farmers, helping them understand and address production barriers while strengthening their technical knowledge.
The two ministers identified several issues requiring further attention, including New Zealand’s development of quarantine procedures for durian and other Vietnamese agricultural products, as well as strengthened cooperation on developing common food safety standards within APEC. Photo: Khuong Trung.Regarding agreements and commitments, New Zealand expressed its full support for Viet Nam’s priorities for APEC 2027, particularly the development of sustainable food systems. New Zealand will send officials to relevant ministries and agencies to identify specific areas where Viet Nam needs support and subsequently develop detailed cooperation programs.
New Zealand reaffirmed its commitment to remain an active partner and work alongside Viet Nam in developing the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. The two sides will maintain regular consultations between now and APEC 2027 to prepare detailed agenda items.
For Viet Nam, the Director General of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has been designated as the focal point for communication. Viet Nam will also prepare specific agenda items for the Ministerial Meeting on Food Security to be held as part of APEC 2027.
Minister Trinh Viet Hung introduces Vietnamese coffee products to New Zealand’s Minister for Food Safety and Biodiversity Andrew Hoggard. Photo: Khuong Trung.Ministers Trinh Viet Hung and Andrew Hoggard identified several issues requiring further attention, including New Zealand’s development of quarantine procedures for durian and other Vietnamese agricultural products; strengthened cooperation on developing common food safety standards within APEC; and preparations between now and 2027 to ensure the success of the meeting.
The meeting highlighted the strengthening of cooperation between Viet Nam and New Zealand in agriculture, food security and sustainable development. New Zealand considers the Asia-Pacific region a major priority and is ready to support Viet Nam in its preparations for APEC 2027. The two sides agreed to maintain regular communication and develop detailed cooperation programs through official diplomatic mechanisms.