(MPI) - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung attended a ceremony in Hanoi on October 24 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of partnership and rural transformation between Vietnam and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
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| Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung speaks at the event. Photo: MPI |
In reviewing the achievements of 30 years of cooperation between IFAD and Vietnam, Deputy Minister Trung said IFAD has provided continued assistance to Vietnam in agriculture and poverty reduction, helping Vietnam deal with war consequences.
Becoming a member of IFAD since 1977, Vietnam always appreciated their fund increased for Vietnams agricultural and rural transformation, and poverty reduction projects. The two sides have continued senior delegation exchange to better understand of new policies and speed up the implementation of projects.
IFAD has run their projects in provinces with ethnic minorities and high poverty rate with a total budget of about 690 million USD, of which IFAD invested 405 million USD and mobilised from other investors and sponsors.
IFAD office in Vietnam plays an important role in supporting and monitoring the project implementation. Deputy Minister Trung noted that IFAD-funded projects are align and consistent with the Vietnamese Government’s socio-economic development and the national rural development strategies. He also lauded that the IFAD representative office in Hanoi has upgraded itself to an IFAD coordination centre in the Mekong region (Mekong Hub).
The Government of Vietnam in general, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) always treasure technical and financial support of IFAD, he said, expressing his hope to receive continued coordination of the fund to ensure sustainable poverty reduction as well as the country’s growth.
IFAD Country Director for Vietnam Ambrosio Barros hailed Vietnam’s economic growth and the outstanding poverty reduction rate over the last two decades, adding that Vietnam has become an bright spot in the region and international arena.
IFAD’s programmes focus on agricultural and rural development, finance, and innovation, and put people as the centre. He shared that agriculture is the driving force to foster poverty reduction and ensure food security.
The IFAD-Vietnam partnership has been characterised by shared goals, mutual trust, and impactful interventions, making significant strides in reducing poverty and enhancing livelihoods. Barros said, IFAD has focused on market-led innovations, institutional and policy reform, and building capacities of local governments, farmers and rural people.
IFAD office in Vietnam pledged to cooperation with Vietnamese agencies to promote gender equality, and will increasing its presence to support the country successfully implementing sustainable development goals in rural areas. villages, ensuring growth in ethnic minorities and promoting environmental resilience.
IFAD Associate Vice President, Corporate Services Department, Guoqi Wu stated IFAD’s commitment to Vietnam extends beyond economic development. The fund also prioritises climate adaptation for small-scale farmers and engaging communities to adopt climate-informed approaches while equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge.
Their work has empowered rural women and young people, including those from ethnic minorities, fostering their active participation in sustainable development.
Vietnam will be a pioneer and take the lead in sharing experiences and practices to inspire other countries in poverty reduction, Wu addressed. IFAD will continue on this journey with Vietnam, leveraging and deepening this partnership to build a more equitable and sustainable future, leaving no one behind.
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| IFAD Office in Vietnam is honoured with Minister of Planning and Investment's Award. Photo: MPI |
On this occasion, Deputy Minister Trung awarded the MPI Minister’s Award for IFAD Office in Vietnam to recognise their achievements in building and developing Vietnam’s planning and investment sector./.
| Over the last 30 years, IFAD has supported over 16 projects in Vietnam in financing to improve the lives of more than 735,000. families. These projects focus on activities that have the greatest impact on residual poverty in rural areas, reflecting the emerging challenges and opportunities of a lower-middle-income country, a changing economic structure and growing urbanization. IFAD has invested 86 million USD in Vietnam so far, distributed across two ongoing projects implemented by Commercial Smallholder Support Project in Bac Kan and Cao Bang (CSSP) and Climate Smart Agricultural Value Chain Development in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Provinces (CSAT). |
Bao Linh
Ministry of Planning and Investment