On March 3, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung received and held a working session with Mr. Nianshan Zhang, Director General of the Southeast Asia Department at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
At the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung highly appreciated more than 30 years of effective cooperation between Viet Nam and ADB, affirming that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment consistently regards ADB as a leading strategic partner in the areas of sustainable agriculture, water resources management, and climate change adaptation. The Ministry’s leadership also expressed gratitude for ADB’s timely and practical support in post-disaster recovery efforts in central provinces in recent years.
The Asian Development Bank is a leading strategic partner of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in the areas of sustainable agriculture, water resources management, and climate change adaptation. Photo: Phuong Linh.The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed that ADB continue to prioritize support in several key areas, including: developing green agricultural infrastructure linked to renewable energy; modernizing irrigation and water supply systems in drought-prone regions to enhance climate resilience; and promoting the transformation of agricultural growth models toward green, circular, and low-emission development.
The Ministry also proposed that ADB support enterprises and cooperatives in accessing advanced technologies, climate finance, and expanding export markets; and coordinate on institutional reforms and the development of integrated land - water - climate - ecosystem databases to serve comprehensive planning and enhance natural resource management capacity in line with regional and international standards.
Commending the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s role in implementing ADB-funded projects, Mr. Nianshan Zhang emphasized that investment in agricultural and rural infrastructure remains a key pillar in the bank’s operational strategy in Viet Nam. He also noted that the new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) will officially take effect on January 1, 2026, creating greater scope to advance development projects in a more sustainable, inclusive, and effective manner.
Both sides agreed to accelerate the approval process for the Integrated Climate-Adapted Flood Risk Management Project (CAIFRMP), valued at USD 200 million and expected to be signed in 2027. ADB also expressed strong interest and readiness to coordinate in implementing the “1 Million hectare high-quality, low-emission rice” Project in the Mekong Delta.
Reaffirming its commitment to accompanying Viet Nam, Mr. Nianshan Zhang stated that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support the country in achieving its net-zero emissions target through the development of the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), the establishment of a carbon credit market, and the modernization of irrigation systems in drought-prone areas. The bank stands ready to promote public - private partnership (PPP) models and provide diverse financing instruments, ranging from project loans to budget support, thereby contributing to Viet Nam’s goal of becoming a high middle-income country by 2030.
“ADB regards Viet Nam as one of the pioneering countries in transforming food systems. We are committed to allocating a portion of the USD 40 billion regional food security support package to work alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in turning policy directions into concrete and effective investments,” Mr. Nianshan Zhang emphasized.
The Director General of the Southeast Asia Department also noted that ADB has initiated the preparation of its Country Partnership Strategy for 2027-2031, ensuring alignment with Viet Nam’s Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030, and expressed a desire to closely coordinate with the Ministry in developing the strategy and further strengthening the partnership in the years ahead.