Hanoi (VNA)𝓡 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) in key projects focused on sustainable transformation of the rice sector, ecosystem conservation, and environmental quality improvement.

The pledge was made during a working session between Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy and an ADB delegation, led by its Country Director for Vietnam Shantanu Chakraborty on April 8. Chakraborty emphasised ADB’s focus on helping Vietnam’s agriculture and environment sectors adapt to climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen marine ecosystem protection and water security. He noted that ADB is fully equipped to provide financial assistance to both the Vietnamese government and the private sector. Over the past two years, the bank has significantly increased its loans, he said, adding it looks forward to continued close cooperation with the MoAE, reinforcing its role as a strategic development partner for Vietnam for 2023–2026. The ADB is ready to support agricultural value chain development and crop diversification to enhance economic value, Chakraborty said. He cited the bank’s alignment with Vietnam’s plan to develop one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta by 2030. He also highlighted ADB’s successful collaboration with the MoAE and local authorities through a range of technical assistance and project implementation efforts. In provinces like Yen Bai, ADB has rolled out community-based livelihood support initiatives and improved rural connectivity with the goal of advancing sustainable and nature-friendly agriculture. The ADB is particularly invested in flood risk management and environmental protection efforts, including projects focused on improving urban air quality. The bank is currently working closely with Vietnam on projects related to the Gulf of Thailand and marine ecosystem conservation.

Duy extended his deep gratitude to the Asian Development Bank for its meaningful and sustained support for Vietnam’s agriculture and environmental sectors. He emphasised the ministry’s intent to deepen cooperation with ADB, aiming for effective implementation of priority programmes and projects—several of which have already received official investment approval. Duy stressed that digital transformation in agriculture, especially in transitioning the rice industry toward transparency, accountability, and sustainability, is a central priority of Vietnam. He proposed integrating cooperation contents into ADB’s climate-related programmes to boost their overall impact. “The Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment are placing strong focus on river basin planning, capacity assessment, and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. We hope ADB will continue to support us in planning, infrastructure investment, and timely policy interventions,” he said. The minister also expressed hope that the Asian Development Bank would maintain flexible financing mechanisms and continue providing both technical and financial assistance for future projects. With a shared commitment to strategic cooperation, both parties agreed to broaden their collaboration in key areas such as dam safety management, transboundary water security, sustainable water resource use, forestry development, mangrove ecosystem restoration, and socio-economic development in mountainous and disadvantaged regions, Vietnam’s national sustainable development goals./.