WEF ASEAN: Grow Asia Forum talks innovation in agriculture

The Grow Asia Forum was held in Hanoi on September 11 within the framework of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN 2018 which lasts from September 11-13.

The forum brought together leaders of agriculture ministries from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), multinational and global corporations, and companies operating in agriculture in the ASEAN region in general and Vietnam in particular. 

With 18 sessions, the event focused on agricultural finance, digital innovation in agricultural production, agriculture and the fourth Industrial Revolution, precision technology in agriculture and low-emission agriculture, among others. 

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said agriculture is a key economic sector of most of ASEAN countries, noting that agro-forestry-fishery production not only ensures food security in the region with a combined population of 650 million but also contributes to global food security. 

To integrate more intensively and extensively, the agricultural sector needs to make stronger changes, with the broader participation of the private sector and application of cutting-edge technologies of the fourth Industrial Revolution, towards more modernity, efficiency, inclusion and sustainability, he stressed. 

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the Grow Asia Forum
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the Grow Asia Forum

Dung said agricultural cooperation is one of the most important contents of the ASEAN Economic Community in order to increase market access capacity of farm produce, develop product chains and promote the participation and benefits of farming households. 

The Deputy PM listed an array of measures such as enhancing strategic cooperation in agriculture in ASEAN through bilateral, multilateral and regional collaboration, establishing potential agricultural links in the region, and intensifying direct investment and strategic partnerships between producers, customers and commercial businesses. 

The Grow Asia Forum aims to set up partnerships to support ASEAN countries in fulfilling the WEF’s New Vision for Agriculture’s targets of increasing food production by 20%, lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and reducing rural poverty by 20% by 2030.

The targets will be completed by connecting concerned parties like Governments, businesses and farmers, especially via the Public Private Partnership (PPP), he said.

Dung went on to say that Vietnam considers the PPP model an important tool to attract investment in agriculture and develop production, focusing on value chains and in-depth processing. 

Under the action plan on agricultural restructuring by 2020, the Vietnamese Government has put agriculture at the centre of sustainable economic development, adaptation to climate change and prosperous rural area building. 

Science-technology and the PPP investment model would be factors that help Vietnam realize its goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, he said. 

Apart from Governments and farmers, businesses serve as the most dynamic factor in the value chain since they organise the production, processing and consumption of agricultural products, especially amidst the fourth Industrial Revolution. 

The Deputy PM expressed his belief that the participating managers, experts and businesses will work together to seek innovation methods in agriculture, utilising agricultural advantages in the region, improving people’s living standards and contributing to ensuring global food security in the face of climate change.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

From policy and infrastructure to industrial real estate, Vietnam’s FDI advantages are broadening towards a more integrated production ecosystem, offering investors a stronger combination of conditions for high-value, technology-intensive and long-term projects.

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

As trade expands, systemic bottlenecks across transport networks, warehousing, ports, border gates, and industrial zones are becoming more apparent. Experts emphasise the need to shift from a fragmented, project-by-project approach toward strategic management structured around trade corridors and integrated supply chains.

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said what stands out is not only the growth in trade volume but also the increasingly deep economic ties between the two countries.

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at 2.02 quadrillion VND (77.7 billion USD), equivalent to 80% of the annual estimate and up 16% year-on-year. Domestic revenue reached 1.75 quadrillion VND, accounting for 86.6% of total revenue and rising 16.6%.

Electronic components are produced at a factory in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's imports surge 41% in first eight months of 2026

Hanoi aims to achieve average annual export growth of at least 12% during 2026-30, with the city seeking to diversify export markets, boost high-tech and value-added products and reduce reliance on traditional markets.