Viet Nam, UK strengthen strategic cooperation ahead of COP31

Both sides prioritize agriculture, environment, climate change and sci-tech cooperation, targeting tangible outcomes at COP31.

In international cooperation, the complementarity of strengths among partners provides the foundation for sustainable and substantive partnerships. Building on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the UK, the working visit to the UK from August 27-29, 2026 of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment delegation, led by Minister Trinh Viet Hung, achieved significant results, establishing a long-term framework for cooperation in agriculture, environment, climate change, and sustainable development.

During the meeting with Angela Eagle, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the UK (DEFRA), Minister Trinh Viet Hung expressed his sincere appreciation for the practical support provided by the UK Government to Vietnam in disaster response, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

The two ministers noted that there remains significant potential for cooperation between Vietnam and the UK, given the strong complementarity between the two sides. The UK has strengths in science and technology, governance, and green standards, while Vietnam is a major hub for tropical agricultural production and an important gateway to the ASEAN region.

At the meeting, the two ministers signed a MoU on cooperation between their ministries in agriculture, environment, climate change, and sustainable development, establishing a comprehensive and long-term framework for cooperation between Vietnam and the UK.

Within this framework, the two sides agreed to make effective use of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), while actively coordinating efforts to address technical barriers and facilitate greater market access for agricultural products from both countries.

In the areas of the marine economy and fisheries, the two sides will continue implementing projects on marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries development, and climate change adaptation in coastal areas.

As part of the visit, Minister Trinh Viet Hung also held a technical discussion with Rachel Kyte, the UK Government’s Special Envoy for Climate, focusing on deepening cooperation on climate change response.

Vietnam side expressed desire to work with the UK to move from individual support initiatives toward large-scale, long-term cooperation programmes with tangible impacts, particularly in climate change adaptation and resilience, climate finance, emissions reduction in agriculture, forest protection and restoration, the marine economy, and nature-based solutions.

Amid growing global climate change challenges, Vietnam has reaffirmed priority of moving decisively from commitments to substantive implementation, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Ahead of the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment agreed to strengthen coordination with the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and relevant UK Government climate authorities in several key areas.

Vietnam is currently working to finalize the third NDC 3.0 for submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat ahead of COP31. The country also plans to launch the “Partnership for Climate-smart and Responsible Agriculture-Food and Forestry Value Chains” (P-CRAFT) initiative and has called for UK support for the initiative.

During the visit, the delegation also held discussions with the International Forestry Directorate of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, further strengthening cooperation in forest protection and development.

Alongside intergovernmental cooperation, the visit also promoted collaboration in science and technology and the development of highly qualified human resources. Together with Vietnam’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Do Minh Hung, Minister Trinh Viet Hung held a working session with Professor Susanna J. Dunachie, Co-Director of the Oxford Global Health Programme at the University of Oxford.

The Minister emphasized that Vietnam is entering a new phase of development, in which science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation have been identified as key drivers of growth. He proposed strengthening research cooperation in crop and livestock breeding, while applying advanced technologies such as AI, big data, remote sensing, and sensor technologies to the management of water, forest, and marine resources, as well as weather and disaster forecasting. He also called for greater cooperation in training, expert exchanges, and the development of highly qualified human resources.

The proposal is in line with the policy set out in Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, which was further concretized by the Government through its Action Programme under Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP, dated January 9, 2025.

A concrete outcome of the meeting was MoU signed between the International Cooperation Department (ICD) and the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NAWAPI), under Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and University of Oxford. The MoU establishes a long-term framework for cooperation in research, expert exchanges, and knowledge sharing, particularly in water resources management and planning, climate change response, and sustainable development.

Looking back on the visit and working trip to the UK by the delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the cooperation agenda between the two countries covers a wide range of areas, from science and technology and agricultural trade to environmental protection, nature conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.

The cooperation agreement signed in the UK provide a framework for the two sides to implement concrete cooperation programmes, supporting Vietnam’s steady progress towards sustainable development, with expectations that tangible outcomes will be reflected at COP31 and beyond.

Khuong Trung