Vietnam Signs Agricultural Cooperation Agreement With France

28/12/2023
On December 20th, 2023, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for Vietnam (MARD), Mr. Le Minh Hoan, received Mr. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France in Vietnam. The meeting aimed to strengthen the longstanding bond between their two countries and discuss mutual goals of promoting sustainable agriculture. After fruitful deliberation, the two officials concluded their meeting with the official signing of a Franco-Vietnamese cooperation agreement.

The reception and working session was organized at the MARD on 23 December, 2023. © L. Vo, CIRAD.

As 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam, this agreement constitutes a new stage in their strategic partnership which has lasted for a decade. Minister Le Minh Hoan opened the meeting by highlighting the deep-rooted cultural ties and growing collaboration between the two countries, particularly in the field of agroecology.

In the spirit of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam, Minister Le Minh Hoan (left) and Ambassador Olivier Brochet (right) reaffirm the long-standing friendship of their nations. © L. Vo, CIRAD

Vietnam and France enjoy a mutually beneficial partnership in agricultural exports, thanks to their distinct climates. Vietnam exports a range of diversified products such as seafood, fruits, coffee and wood products to France, while France mainly exports dairy products, livestock feed and pesticides to Vietnam. Ms. Marion Chaminade, the Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Vietnam, expressed France's enthusiasm to strengthen its exports to the Vietnamese market, citing efforts to open Vietnamese markets to new French exports such as plums. This complementary commercial dynamic highlights the immense potential for growth and diversification of agricultural trade between the two countries.

Dr. Francois Roger (left), CIRAD Regional Director for Continental Southeast Asia, Ms. Marion Chaminade (middle), the Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Vietnam, and Mr. Olivier Brochet (right), French Ambassador to Vietnam. © L. Vo, CIRAD

Ambassador Olivier Brochet highlighted the strategic alignment of the two governments, notably in supporting Vietnam's efforts against climate change and promoting sustainable development. He reaffirmed France's full support: "We are entirely at your disposal to help you on all technical aspects that can enable you to meet the conditions requested by the European Union," he declared, emphasizing France's desire to see Vietnam overcome current barriers and succeed in international markets.

Dr. Francois Roger (left), CIRAD Regional Director for Continental Southeast Asia, Ms. Marion Chaminade (middle), the Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Olivier Brochet (right), French Ambassador to Vietnam, and Dr. Nguyen Cong Thanh (rightmost), Scientific Cooperation Officer at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD). © L. Vo, CIRAD

The meeting took place in the presence of Dr François Roger, regional director of CIRAD for continental South-East Asia, Dr Nguyen Cong Thanh, responsible for scientific cooperation at the National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh from the French Development Agency (AFD). The presence of French research institutions clearly indicates France's unwavering commitment to promoting agricultural innovation through scientific collaboration.

Minister Le Minh Hoan (left) and Ambassador Olivier Brochet (right) concluded the meeting with the signing of the cooperation agreement. © L. Vo, CIRAD

The meeting ended with the signing of the cooperative agreement, focused on three main pillars:

  • climate change mitigation and adaptation, promoting ecological agriculture with a particular emphasis on biodiversity, genetic resources, forest cover, and soil health
  • enhancing food production quality management and food safety
  • addressing plant and animal health and safety in trade, in line with the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)

This signing solidifies a mutual commitment to international sanitary and phytosanitary standards, thus strengthening the economic ties of the two countries while increasing their resilience in the face of global challenges such as climate change and loss of biodiversity.