Permanent Deputy Prime Minister receives Lao Minister of Agriculture and Environment

Pham said Linkham's visit provides an important opportunity for the two ministries to review the implementation of bilateral cooperation, particularly high-level agreements, the outcomes of the 48th meeting of the Viet Nam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee, and the conclusions reached during recent high-level exchanges between the two Parties and countries.

He noted that during Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's official visit to Viet Nam in June 2026, the two sides reached broad consensus on agriculture and environmental cooperation, providing strategic orientations for expanding collaboration in the coming period.

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister stressed that agriculture and environmental cooperation has long been a key pillar of the Viet Nam–Laos relationship, given the sectors' vital role in socio-economic development and people's livelihoods.

He highlighted the two countries' close coordination in ensuring food security, responding to climate change, managing natural resources, protecting forests and the environment, and promoting cooperation in geology and minerals, describing these efforts as important contributions to national development and the implementation of agreements reached by the two Parties and States.

As Viet Nam and Laos continue to deepen their strategic cohesion, Pham called on the two ministries to step up coordination in implementing high-level commitments, sharing policy-making experience, enhancing human resources training, and promoting science and technology transfer.

He also called on both sides to expand cooperation in crop production, livestock farming, forestry, irrigation, water resources management, environmental protection, agricultural processing and value chain development.

For his part, Linkham affirmed that the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will work closely with its Vietnamese counterpart to effectively implement bilateral cooperation programs.

The two ministries will review the implementation of cooperation activities and formulate orientations for collaboration in the 2026–2030 period, with a view to making bilateral cooperation in agriculture and the environment more substantive, practical and effective, he said.

The Lao minister expressed appreciation for the consistent support provided by the Party and Government of Viet Nam to Laos, particularly in the agriculture and environment sectors.

He welcomed the proposals put forward by the Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, reaffirmed Laos' commitment to creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises investing in the country.

Linkham called for continued Vietnamese support in implementing bilateral cooperation programs and projects, thereby further strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos./.