Vietnam, Malaysia Cooperate to Combat Illegal Fishing Activities

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According to the Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia, this activity is part of the ongoing cooperation and regular exchanges between the agricultural management agencies of the two countries over the years. The initiative, maintained and facilitated by the Embassy, seeks to strengthen coordination in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also represents a concrete step toward implementing the directive of the Prime Minister under the “Action Month for Combating Illegal Fishing and Promoting Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector” (Decision No. 2310/QĐ-TTg dated October 21, 2025).

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam Phung Duc Tien (top row, right) during the working session with leaders of the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia)

During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two ministries. They also consented to set up a tripartite information exchange mechanism involving the fisheries agencies of both countries and the Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia, thereby enhancing coordination in fisheries management and handling violations by fishing vessels.

Ambassador of Vietnam to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh and officials from the Embassy provided active support in facilitating connections and enabling the two ministries to engage in in-depth discussions and develop specific steps for future cooperation.

The two sides also discussed investment opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises in the Malaysian fisheries sector, opening up prospects for collaboration in seafood processing, trade, and the development of a green and sustainable fisheries value chain.

The first meeting of the Joint Working Group between the two ministries is scheduled to take place in early November 2025, to concretize areas of cooperation, strengthen policy dialogue, and coordinate actions towards responsible fisheries development and the removal of the European Union’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports.

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