Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh met with Kim Young Ki, Acting President of the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI)

Welcoming Mr. Kim Young Ki as the first international guest to visit the newly formed Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh highlighted the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and South Korea. He emphasized that economic cooperation between the two nations has been expanding, with Vietnam targeting an ambitious GDP growth rate of 8% in 2025. Given this trajectory, environmental protection remains a key priority for sustainable development.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh expressed his appreciation to the South Korean government and KEITI for their continuous support in shaping Vietnam’s environmental policies, particularly in the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. He noted that learning from South Korea’s experience in this area would be invaluable in fostering a circular economy and boosting recycling efforts in Vietnam.

Mr. Kim Young Ki reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to sharing its expertise, stating that his country has long implemented EPR and is well-positioned to assist Vietnam in integrating circular economy principles into waste management. To accelerate the establishment of the resource recycling industrial park, South Korea has dispatched EPR specialists to work closely with local authorities in conducting feasibility studies ahead of further bilateral initiatives.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh taking photos with the South Korean delegation

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh acknowledged the project's significance and assured that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment would collaborate closely with the Ministry of Environment of South Korea and KEITI to ensure its effective implementation. He also expressed gratitude for South Korea’s broader contributions to Vietnam’s environmental sector, including support for climate change adaptation, water resource protection, biodiversity conservation, and pollution control. Notable ongoing initiatives include the real-time smokestack emission monitoring system and the Asia Partnership for Air Quality Information using geospatial technology.

The meeting followed high-level discussions between Vietnamese and South Korean leaders on strengthening economic and environmental cooperation. On March 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with representatives from major South Korean corporations, reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to fostering investment in high technology, renewable energy, and sustainable development. South Korean businesses, in turn, expressed keen interest in Vietnam’s circular economy projects, including recycling and waste management initiatives.

The cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and KEITI aligns with the commitments made in July 2024, when ministers from both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the resource recycling industrial park project. The agreement underscores the mutual goal of promoting sustainable recycling industries, green investment, and environmental responsibility in Vietnam, reinforcing the broader Vietnam-South Korea strategic partnership.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh concluded the meeting by expressing optimism that the collaboration would yield tangible results, echoing Prime Minister Chinh’s assertion that no obstacles should hinder the advancement of Vietnam-South Korea relations.

Ngoc Huyen