Only three weeks after the establishment of the Green Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Denmark, a Danish Sustainable Agriculture and Food delegation landed in Ho Chi Minh city to exchange experiences and innovative solutions in sustainable and resource-efficient food and agriculture with their local counterparts and business partners. The delegation is led by representatives of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council and accompanied by 9 Danish agri-food companies specializing in the fields of livestock and fisheries, agricultural and food production and processing and temperature-controlled storage solutions.
As the global food supply chain has grown in complexity, the need to make better use of resources has become increasingly urgent. Within agriculture, the focus is on optimizing yields while protecting the integrity of the soil. In food manufacturing, demand is rising for technologies that can secure food safety, quality and sustainability.
The Danish agriculture and food industry, for many years, have continuously invested in new production equipment and solutions that boost production yield and improve product quality but at the same time consume less water and energy. Nowadays, Denmark produces three times more food than its population can consume, with some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.
Mrs. Mette Ekeroth, Deputy Head of the Danish Embassy in Hanoi said: ‘Green transition in the agriculture and food sector is always a central theme of cooperation between Denmark and Vietnam, both in our ongoing Strategic Sector Cooperation program and the Green Strategic Partnership recently established between our two countries. We hope that this visit of the Danish Sustainable Agriculture and Food delegation could serve as a platform for key stakeholders, Danish and Vietnamese, to meet, share insights and forge partnerships that will continue shaping the future of the agriculture and food production in both countries.’
Further, the Embassy of Denmark in partnership with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and The Danish Agriculture and Food Council, jointly hosted the seminar, facilitated by Food Nation, under the title ‘Farming for the Future: A Danish – Vietnamese dialogue on green and efficient food and agriculture’ on the 22nd of November, 2023. The seminar comprised panel discussions, informative presentations, and networking opportunities. Representatives from Danish and Vietnamese agricultural and food companies had the opportunity to identify potential areas of synergy which helped lay the foundation for mutual beneficial collaboration in the future. Key areas of focus included the introduction of green solutions that not only boost efficiency but also uphold sustainability, and the development of innovative practices and technologies for the agriculture and food industry.
‘Denmark’s path in sustainable food production has led to the development of strong, innovative methods and approaches throughout the value chain. We look forward to sharing these insights and inspire further collaboration with key partners towards the green transition’ said Ms. Mie Ole Lauritzen, Director at Food Nation Denmark. The seminar is a crucial step in the journey towards enhancing collaboration, innovation, and technology between Denmark and Vietnam. By working together, Vietnam and Denmark aim to not only meet the global demand for high-quality agrifood products but also do so in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. “We believe that by joining forces with our Vietnamese counterparts, we can create a brighter future for agrifood production,” stated Jeppe Søndergaard Pedersen, International Chief Advisor at The Danish Agriculture and Food Council.
The seminar is an element in the long-term Strategic Sector Partnership (SSC) between Denmark and Vietnam with an overall aim to support Vietnam’s efforts to transform the agriculture and food sector towards green and sustainability. Ms. Lene Mølsted Jensen, SSC Chairman, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, praised the importance of this cooperation opportunity and said “By having Danish and Vietnamese authorities and local stakeholders working together, it is possible to explore new ways of collaborating and exchange ideas to drive the green transition forward.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Danish Embassy in Vietnam
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Vietnam and Denmark have enjoyed a strong and close cooperation.
On November 1st 2023, the two Prime Ministers jointly declared the establishment of a Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) between Viet Nam and Denmark.
The signing of this GSP has marked a milestone in the two countries’ cooperative relations as well as established a solid framework for supporting Vietnam to develop a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy and promote the development of the circular economy.
The GSP will build on and consolidates the existing cooperation in Climate, Environment and Energy, Food and Agriculture, Trade and Business Collaboration, Health and Life Science, Statistics, and other initiatives of mutual interests.
For further information about the Danish-Vietnamese relationship and the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam please visit www.vietnam.um.dk and https://www.facebook.com/dkvietnam
For detailed information about the Danish agri-food companies coming to Vietnam today, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/3p52bdbt
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration helps ensure compliance with regulations on animal welfare and food safety through inspections and guidance for the entire chain: From farm to fork. We are behind the official dietary recommendations and the well-known smiley inspection of cafes, restaurants and supermarkets.
We also inspect farmers’ livestock with regards to animal health and welfare. Because of this, Denmark have one of the highest levels of food safety, animal welfare and animal health in the world.
Around 1,800 employees are based throughout Denmark, ranging from lawyers, veterinarians, and IT specialists, to nutrition experts, inspection personnel, laboratory technicians and office staff. And we all have at least one thing in common: We’re all working for better food.
The Danish Agriculture and Food Council
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council represents the farming and food industry of Denmark including companies, trade and farmers’ associations.
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council promotes the political influence of the agricultural and food sector, offers a comprehensive range of cost-effective services for its members and implements research and development programs within food safety and veterinary issues. The Danish Agriculture & Food Council also handles the professional interests of its members, including overall industrial policy and regulatory framework, trade and market policy and the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), animal welfare, food safety and environmental and energy policies.
Food Nation Denmark
Food Nation is a public-private partnership established by the Danish government and leading private companies and organizations. Food Nation aims to create awareness of Denmark as a frontrunner within innovative, sustainable, and efficient food production.
The world is facing rapid challenges when it comes to nutrition and food as the global food production is causing major consequences for both economic, social and environmental sustainability. This situation is an enormous business potential for the Danish food cluster, which, with special skills and strengths, can contribute to solutions to the world food challenges through export of knowledge, technology, and innovative solutions.
For more information about Food Nation and solutions from Danish food cluster, please visit www.foodnationdenmark.com
Kim Quy
