Irish and Vietnamese agri-food authorities will embark on a new phase of co-operation in agri-food from 2023, Minister of State Martin Heydon has confirmed. Ireland will work with Vietnamese and international counterparts to support Vietnam’s journey in transforming its food system.
Announcing the cooperation in Hanoi recently, Minister Heydon said: “Ireland is committed to becoming a global leader in sustainable food systems, as outlined in the Food Vision strategy. This underpins our relationship with Vietnam.
“We will work with our counterparts to help Vietnam realise its own goals around economic, environmental and social sustainability in agri-food. This co-operation programme will feature knowledge sharing, innovation, education, and joint research activities. It is an important part of Ireland’s political, trade and economic relationships with this dynamic and fast-growing nation”.
The co-operation programme, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, will involve a series of relationships between Irish and Vietnamese partners, including State agencies, universities, and private sector over a five-year period. The objective is to support the country’s food system transformation journey through joint research, capability-building, training and educational linkages. It will involve participation by Irish State agencies, universities, and private sector.
The programme will be managed by Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI), the technical co-operation provider established by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and four other government agencies active in agri-food – Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Teagasc.
