HCMC – Vietnam is strengthening cooperation with the European Union (EU) and Belgium in environmental protection, green growth, resource management, and climate change response to support sustainable development goals.
Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang met with European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Employment and Agriculture David Clarinval, and leaders of the Wallonia region during a working visit to Belgium, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
At the meeting with Raswall, the two sides discussed cooperation in environmental protection, sustainable resource management, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, waste treatment, circular economy, and carbon markets.
The European Commission said Thang’s visit was the first ministerial-level meeting between Vietnam and the EU focused on environmental cooperation. Raswall said the EU considered Vietnam a key partner in Southeast Asia in promoting green growth, emission reduction, and sustainable transition.
She said the EU was implementing global initiatives on water resource management, air pollution control, circular economy, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which ensures imported products meet sustainability and transparency standards.
Thang reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to international climate goals, including the target of net-zero emissions by 2050 announced at COP26. He proposed that both sides sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on environmental cooperation to set a framework for long-term collaboration.
The EU expressed support for the initiative and said it was ready to share experience, transfer green technologies, and promote investment in Vietnam’s environmental projects.
In a separate meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Clarinval, the two sides reviewed agricultural cooperation, which has expanded in trade, investment, technology, and training. Clarinval urged Vietnam to review the list of Belgian products eligible for import, especially those of animal origin.
Thang said Vietnam and Belgium’s agricultural products complement each other and proposed organizing a Vietnam-Belgium agribusiness forum to foster cooperation in high-tech agriculture and circular economy. He called on Belgium to continue supporting Vietnam in food safety, biotechnology, and agricultural innovation.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular dialogue and expand cooperation in green agriculture, digital transformation, and sustainable value chains.
In Namur City, Thang met with Wallonia Minister-President Adrien Dolimont and Walloon Minister for Agriculture, Rural Policy, Nature, Hunting, Fisheries and Forests Annie-Catherine Dalcq. The two sides discussed agricultural, environmental, and sustainable development cooperation.
Vietnam and Wallonia have achieved strong coordination. Wallonia has supported more than 90 technical assistance projects in Vietnam in agriculture and environmental management. The region said it would continue helping Vietnam in climate adaptation, food safety, and agricultural science.
Both sides agreed to draft an MoU on cooperation in agriculture and environment, focusing on research, training, and technology transfer. Vietnam’s engagement with the EU and Belgium underscores its efforts to advance green growth and fulfill international climate commitments.
