The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh and Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam Hilde Solbakken, witnessed by State Secretary Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad, and supported by Vietnamese Ambassador to Norway Dinh Nho Hung. The event reflects the strong commitment of both countries to promoting cooperation in green development and the marine economy.
The activity took place as the two countries mark the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Norway (1971), celebrating 55 years of cooperation and demonstrating the aspiration to elevate bilateral ties to a strategic framework for a sustainable future.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding on the Green Strategic Partnership would provide a long-term foundation to deepen cooperation between Viet Nam and Norway in both the public and private sectors. The two sides aim to promote cooperation in the fields of green and marine economies,
strengthen research and innovation, and implement cooperation programmes that deliver practical and sustainable results. Both sides also committed to close coordination to concretise cooperation contents, contributing to green growth, environmental protection, and long-term development.
At the same time, progress in negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is expected to further strengthen trade and investment relations, thereby supporting and complementing the Green Strategic Partnership framework.
Promoting green growth and sustainable development
The green strategic partnership is built on a shared understanding of the urgent need to accelerate the green transition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, enhance climate change response, and ensure sustainable resource management.
The two sides have identified priority areas including climate and environment, the circular economy, sustainable forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, green maritime solutions, and a sustainable marine economy. These areas contribute to ensuring food security, increasing value, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable economic growth, in line with Viet Nam’s green development orientation while leveraging Norway’s strengths in climate action and ocean governance.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes an overall framework to promote policy dialogue, technical cooperation, and the implementation of joint initiatives, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change and the goals of the United Nations.
Within the cooperation framework, both sides will focus on improving capacity, completing institutions, sharing knowledge, and implementing scalable pilot models. The emphasis is on integrated solutions that link environmental protection with economic development, ensuring that the green transition is effective and inclusive.
Promoting trade, investment, and the role of businesses
Both sides agreed to emphasise the role of the private sector as a key driving force in the sustainable transition, while promoting business cooperation, encouraging green investment, and strengthening innovation and technology transfer.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh affirmed that green growth and the circular economy are top priorities in Viet Nam’s Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2021–2030 period, and stressed that the Ministry will coordinate with relevant agencies and Norwegian partners to improve policies and promote green transition across its areas of responsibility.
State Secretary Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad said that the green strategic partnership is an important milestone in bilateral relations, contributing to reinforcing common commitments on climate and economic cooperation, while opening new opportunities for business cooperation, job creation, and sustainable growth.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Hilde Solbakken said that the new cooperation framework will facilitate the sharing of experience between the two countries in climate policy, sustainable marine economy, renewable energy, and green maritime solutions, thereby promoting innovation and the development of sustainable business models, contributing positively to the green transition.
