On February 14^th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (MARD) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) "Strengthening cooperation in agricultural development and 2022 - 2026 One Health Partnership on Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases". The signing ceremony welcomed the attendance of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and WWF Global Director Prasanna De Silva.

Sharing at the ceremony, Minister Le Minh Hoan reiterated the goal of developing ecologically-oriented agriculture with a multi-valued and multi-sectoral approach, integrating economic, social and environmental values, ensuring the comprehensive improvement in the environment - ecosystem - human - plants and animals interaction.

"After more than 30 years of ‘Doi Moi', agriculture has greatly contributed to the economy. We understand that development also comes with the destruction of many ecosystems. Thus we want to affirm the strategy of developing agriculture but make no exchange in terms of costs, whether tangible and intangible, which include costs of biodiversity and environmental," said Minister Le Minh Hoan.

One of the solutions to overcome limitations and well support the implementation of the goals of Vietnam’s agricultural sector is to mobilize international resources, knowledge, experience, science and technology.

"We appreciate WWF's leading role in conserving biodiversity, building a sustainable future for people, managing natural resources with great efforts, providing consult and support to the Government of Vietnam to resolve challenges concerning national and sectoral development, especially in the field of forestry, where both sides are cooperating very effectively," said the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Confirming WWF’s active participation in the implementation of One Health Partnership on Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases, Minister Le Minh Hoan said, "WWF will be one of the strategic partners for Government agencies in the field of conservation in the next decade - the golden decade of biodiversity in Vietnam and the world.”

Mr. Prasanna De Silva claimed that WWF has witnessed the commitment of the Government of Vietnam in the act of reversing biodiversity loss in Vietnam and the world. "I believe that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is playing a leading role in realizing these commitments”.

The WWF representative hopes to accompany the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the process of restructuring and developing the agricultural sector.

Activities are expected to progress steadily and in-depth: develop valuable industries in the direction of resource recovery; associate with the restoration of forests, wetlands, and seas holding biodiversity and environment values for the community; take advantage of export market opportunities; ensure food security.

“WWF can make full use of its experience and knowledge in chain development and science-based planning, also its abilities to promote and enhance community capacity, bringing together private and public sectors," said Mr. Prasanna De Silva.

Regarding the signed MoU, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that the commitments are an important foundation in determining and implementing cooperation activities in the 2022 - 2026 period.

"I believe that with the companionship and support of WWF and high determination from Vietnam MARD, cooperation activities within the framework of this Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented without issues. Vietnam's agricultural sector will develop sustainably and perform well the set tasks and goals,” Minister Le Minh Hoan said.

Mr. Prasanna De Silva believes that these commitments, combined with the vision, leadership and connection of both parties, will create the necessary changes to the policy framework and the implementation of policies, promote innovation and participation of the private sector, and guarantee equitable sharing of benefits for stakeholders, especially communities that depend on natural resources.

Translated by Samuel Pham