By adopting digital solutions and ESG governance standards, businesses have greater opportunities to access green finance and pave the way for agricultural products to integrate more deeply into global value chains.

Recently, in Hanoi, the Institute of International Economics and Law, in collaboration with the Vietnam Institute for Rural Industries Research and Development (VIRI) and the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), organized the international conference titled “Action for the Future: ESG in Sustainable Agriculture.”

In her opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Chairwoman of the Management Council of the Institute of International Economics and Law, emphasized that amid increasingly severe climate change and stricter international standards related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, Vietnam’s agricultural sector is facing mounting pressure to accelerate its green transition.

“Major export markets such as the EU, the United States, and Japan are tightening requirements related to supply chain transparency, traceability, and emissions reduction. ESG is therefore no longer a voluntary option but has become a mandatory condition for businesses to enhance competitiveness and participate more deeply in global value chains.

To avoid being excluded from international value chains, Vietnamese agricultural enterprises must accelerate their green transition and view ESG as a core competitive capability,” Dr. Hien stated.

From the perspective of international investors, Ms. Naina Subberwal Batra, Chief Executive Officer of AVPN, noted that global ESG investment trends are rapidly shifting from “risk screening” to “impact investing,” with blended finance playing an increasingly important role in mobilizing resources for sustainable development.

According to Ms. Batra, ESG capital flows are currently prioritizing agricultural models that reduce emissions, optimize water resource efficiency, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and enhance climate resilience. Vietnam is considered to have strong opportunities to participate more deeply in global value chains if businesses effectively meet ESG standards and maintain transparent sustainable development data.

“ESG is gradually becoming a ‘passport’ that enables businesses to access international investors and multinational corporations,” the AVPN representative emphasized.

Regarding the role of technology in the green transition, Mr. Le Duc Thinh, Director General of the Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development, stated that ESG is becoming a significant driving force for Vietnam’s agricultural sector to develop in a greener, more modern, and more sustainable direction.

According to Mr. Thinh, science, technology, and innovation will play a crucial role in reducing emissions, improving productivity, enhancing supply chain transparency, and increasing the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed accelerating digital transformation, developing green cooperatives, expanding green finance, and promoting carbon markets to build an ecological, modern, and inclusive agricultural sector.

At the conference, delegates also focused discussions on opportunities for global cooperation in ESG, trends in impact investment flows, solutions for emissions reduction in circular agriculture, efficient resource utilization, and the role of technology in developing green agriculture.

Many participants agreed that in order to effectively attract ESG investment capital, Vietnam must continue improving policies supporting businesses, build transparent data systems, standardize impact measurement frameworks, and accelerate the application of digital technologies in agricultural supply chain governance. At the same time, stronger collaboration among the government, businesses, international organizations, and investment funds is needed to establish a comprehensive ecosystem supporting the green transition of the agricultural sector in the coming years.

Source: Bao Nong nghiep va Moi truong