The Vietnam - Malaysia Joint Working Group on Cooperation Against IUU to meet in early November 2025

The delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, had a working session with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia Dato' Sri Norazman bin Ayob.

The activity is part of the process of cooperation and regular contact between agricultural management agencies of the two countries over the past years, organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia to maintain, promote and strengthen coordination in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and combating IUU fishing.

This is also a specific step to implement the Prime Minister's direction on "Peak month to combat illegal fishing and sustainable development of Vietnam's fisheries industry" according to Decision No. 2310/QD-TTg dated October 21, 2025.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Ministries, and establish a tripartite information exchange mechanism between the fisheries agencies of the two countries and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, thereby enhancing coordination in fisheries management and handling of fishing vessels that violate regulations.

The two sides also discussed investment opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises in the seafood sector in Malaysia, opening up the possibility of cooperation in processing, consumption and development of green and sustainable seafood value chains.

The first meeting of the Joint Working Group is expected to take place in early November 2025, marking a new step forward in Vietnam-Malaysia cooperation for responsible and sustainable fisheries.

Kieu Chi