On July 29 in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien met with Shelby Smith-Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Phung Duc Tien highlighted significant progress achieved over four years of implementing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 2020-2025, focusing on technical support to enhance fisheries law enforcement capabilities. Key accomplishments include organizing workshops and training sessions for fisheries inspectors and law enforcement forces to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and comply with regional and international regulations. Additionally, programs for management and law enforcement officers to visit and work in Asia and the US were conducted. The US also supported Vietnam in reviewing and amending fisheries-related regulations.
Shelby Smith-Wilson appreciated the cooperation and acknowledged the challenges Vietnam faces in fisheries law enforcement. She noted INL’s collaboration with various US agencies to conduct training programs for Vietnamese units.
The INL representative praised the effectiveness of conferences and workshops organized in collaboration with the Fisheries Surveillance Department in Da Nang and Nha Trang. Phung Duc Tien proposed continued support from INL, including training, providing specialized equipment, and cooperating in reviewing Vietnamese regulations to comply with regional and international standards.
The MOU is set to expire in July 2025, and with changes in the Directorate of Fisheries’ structure, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requested a renewal or extension of the MOU. Shelby Smith-Wilson assured that these proposals would be forwarded to the INL office in Vietnam for consideration.
VFM
