PM Dung warmly welcomed Mr Kanayo to Vietnam to attend the third International Rice Congress which is being held in Hanoi. Mr Dung thanked IFAD’s effective assistance for Vietnam in past years. Vietnam’s agricultural development not only ensures food security, contributing to stabilizing politics and improving people’s living standards but also maintains world food security.

Despite positive achievements in agricultural development, Vietnam is still a poor country with a low income, due to the serious consequences of wars. Vietnam is also a country which is heavily affected by climate change and rising sea levels which will submerge more than 30 percent of agricultural land. Therefore, in addition to its own efforts, Vietnam needs international support, including IFAD.

PM Dung expressed his hope that the fund will discuss programmes to support Vietnam in the next five years and introduce an effective co-operative model between Vietnam and IFAD as well as Vietnam’s experience in agricultural development to the international community.

Vietnam is an example for other developing countries to follow because from a country which lacked food it became the world’s leading food exporter, contributing to ensuring world food security.

Mr Kanayo expressed his hope that Vietnam will further strengthen co-operative ties with IFAD and affirmed that the fund will invest US$150 million in agricultural development projects in Vietnam.

After meeting with Mr Kanayo, PM Dung received heads of international delegates who attended the 3^rd International Rice Congress.