Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam aims to become atransparent, responsible and sustainable global supplier of food and foodstuff,Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said in a signingceremony for a cooperation deal between his ministry and the WWF in Hanoi onFebruary 14.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and theWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on"Strengthening cooperation in agricultural development and 2022 - 2026 OneHealth Partnership on Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases".

Addressing the event, Minister Hoan reiterated PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh’s COP26 commitment on turning Vietnam into acarbon-neutral economy by 2050. To this end, the country aims to promote theefficient use of land and natural resources and agricultural inputs.

Agriculture has contributed greatly to the economy aftermore than three decades of “Doi moi” (Renewal), the minister said. Vietnamacknowledges that growth can cause loss of many ecosystems so the country consistentlypursues a strategy of developing agriculture without paying costs, whethertangible or intangible, like biodiversity and environmental costs, heexplained.

Vietnam will not only make use of its nature but alsoprotect the environment, landscapes and biodiversity towards green growth andconsumption, he said, adding that the country plans to accelerate sustainableagricultural and rural development based on three main pillars, namelyeco-agriculture, modern rural development and smart farmers.

He spoke highly of WWF’s leading role in conservingbiodiversity, building a sustainable future for people, sustainably managingnatural resources, and providing consultancy and support for the Government ofVietnam to address challenges hampering national and sectoral development.

The ministry wants to foster comprehensive partnership withWWF in multiple areas, including forestry and wildlife protection, ocean(fishery and ocean plastic waste management), irrigation, natural disaster riskmanagement, rural development, food security, agricultural trade, environmentprotection, climate change and biodiversity, he said.

WWF will be among the government’s strategic partners inconservation in the next decade, the minister emphasized.

WWF Global Director Prasanna De Silva, for his part, saidWWF acknowledges the Vietnamese government’s commitment on reversingbiodiversity losses domestically and globally./.