Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Le Minh Hoan met with Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Hanoi on March 21, calling on the bank to accelerate the implementation of the two sides' strategic cooperation framework, including in agriculture.
Hoan highlighted the close cooperation between Vietnam and the WB in recent years, expressing his belief that the two sides will continue to strengthen this good partnership in the time to come.
Applauding bilateral cooperation achievements, he spoke highly of the bank’s role in promoting development cooperation, poverty reduction, and the settlement of global challenges.
He voiced the hope that the WB will continue to effectively support developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Vietnam is speeding up the reform of institutional frameworks, the restructuring and streamlining of the administrative apparatus, and driving breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation to unlock resources and create motivation for national development in the new era. In particular, the NA is strongly reforming the lawmaking mindset to facilitate the Government's governance flexibility and ensure timely adjustments are made to match the reality, Hoan stated.
Reviewing Vietnam’s cooperation with the WB in the recent past, the Vice Chairman noted that in November 2023, the Vietnamese Government launched a project to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030, aiming to increase the value of the rice industry, improve production efficiency and farmers' incomes, and help protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He proposed the WB continue coordinating with Vietnam to effectively implement the project and provide resources for the initiative, a symbol of the Vietnam – WB partnership.
According to Hoan, Vietnam is strongly committed to sustainable development, climate change response, and fulfilment of international commitments. At COP26 in the UK, the country pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, join the Global Methane Pledge initiative, and implement the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use, and several other initiatives.
For her part, Sherman expressed her hope that cooperation between the WB and Vietnam will become increasingly fruitful to reach the set targets. She affirmed the bank's commitment to implementing the agreed-upon agendas and cooperation programmes.
She noted that there remain many projects to be completed in the coming period, stressing that one of the top priorities of the bank is the project to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030, along with some others related to sustainable fisheries, green economic development, and emissions reduction.
The WB stands ready to support Vietnam through policy advise and capacity building, contributing to the country’s efforts in institutional perfection, science – technology development, and innovation, she added./.
