Minister Trinh Viet Hung: Toward Viet Nam-Korea model of green partnership

The 17th Viet Nam - Korea Environment Ministers’ Meeting agreed on 6 keys of cooperation, including climate change, water resources management, green industry, biodiversity, and the cooperation plan for the 2026-2030 period.

On April 21, within the framework of the state visit to Vietnam by President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea and First Lady Kim Hae Kyung, along with a high-level delegation, the 17th Viet Nam-Korea Environment Ministers’ Meeting was officially held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's headquarters. The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung and Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment of South Korea Kim Sungwhan, with the participation of high-level delegations from both countries.

Proposal to pilot AI-based smart water managemen

In his opening remarks, Minister Trinh Viet Hung expressed appreciation for the Government of South Korea's support in enhancing Viet Nam’s environmental management capacity.

He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review past cooperation outcomes and to agree on new directions that are “more substantive, more effective, and deliver tangible benefits to businesses and people of both countries.”

At the meeting, both sides listened to a summary report on environmental cooperation outcomes since the 16th meeting, and engaged in in-depth discussions on six key priority areas.

Regarding climate change, Minister Trinh Viet Hung proposed that South Korea continue supporting Vietnam in developing and operating a carbon market, implementing projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, establishing internationally standardized greenhouse gas inventory systems, and modernizing hydrometeorological forecasting systems.

He also suggested promoting waste segregation at source, advancing recycling technologies and waste-to-energy solutions, and implementing best available technologies (BAT) alongside extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies.

In the field of water resources, Minister Trinh Viet Hung emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation for integrated management, apply digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), and develop data systems to support decision-making.

Vietnam also expressed its interest in implementing river restoration projects and enhancing water security, while proposing to pilot smart water management models in several key river basins, starting with the Red-Thai Binh river system, leveraging South Korea’s advanced AI technologies for early disaster warning.

In the field of green industry, Viet Nam proposed cooperation in developing circular industrial parks, strengthening the linkage between production and environmental protection, and attracting investment from Korean enterprises in environmental technologies and green manufacturing.

Regarding biodiversity, Viet Nam aims to enhance research, training, and the development of sustainable conservation solutions.

To operationalize these areas of cooperation, Minister Trinh Viet Hung proposed that both sides develop a cooperation plan for the 2026-2030 period, establish coordination and monitoring mechanisms, and strengthen multi-level dialogue, while also promoting public-private partnerships and mobilizing resources from organizations such as KOICA and GGGI.

South Korea shares AI and Digital Twin technologies for flood management

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Kim Sungwhan expressed strong support for piloting and operating a carbon market in Viet Nam, while recommending a gradual reduction in dependence on fossil fuels and a transition toward renewable energy.

In the field of environment, he noted that South Korea is ready to provide support and transfer technologies for waste collection, sorting, and recycling, especially as global supply chains for raw materials are increasingly affected by instability.

Regarding water resources management, both countries are focusing on smart flood management solutions. South Korea has introduced Digital Twin technologies combined with AI, along with sensor networks and CCTV monitoring systems, to develop early warning systems and support real-time decision-making.

According to Minister Kim Sungwhan, green industry cooperation will be advanced through pilot projects and specific programs. In terms of biodiversity, each country needs appropriate policies while also strengthening cross-border cooperation to effectively conserve ecosystems.

He also highlighted that an increasing number of Korean enterprises are investing in Vietnam through support programs of KOICA. Beyond the business level, Korean citizens are also showing growing interest in Vietnam as a travel destination.

Sharing this view, Ms. Kang Kumsil, Ambassador for Global Climate and Environment of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed continued active contributions to bilateral environmental cooperation and close coordination with Vietnam to promote initiatives at both regional and global levels.

Minister Trinh Viet Hung reaffirmed the vision of shifting from “traditional cooperation” to “co-creating solutions,” expressing confidence that Viet Nam - Korea environmental cooperation will become a leading green model in the region, delivering long-term benefits to the people and business communities of both countries.

Within the framework of the meeting, the Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment signed a MoU on water security cooperation, marking a new step forward in strengthening bilateral coordination. In addition, agencies from both countries also signed several other important cooperation agreements, specifically:

Phuong Linh