The EU-Vietnam Domestic Advisory Group

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 1 August 2020. The agreement includes a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (chapter 13), with the objective to promote sustainable development, notably by fostering the contribution of trade and investment related aspects of labour and environmental issues. It comprises the EU's and Vietnam's commitments to promote labour rights, environmental protection and sustainable development, as defined by international instruments such as ILO Conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement. It also covers areas such as corporate social responsibility, biological diversity, sustainable forest management and trade in forest products and sustainable management of living marine resources and aquaculture products.

The Trade and Sustainable Development chapter also provides for the establishment by each Party of Domestic Advisory Groups (DAG), composed of independent representative organisations, ensuring a balanced representation of economic, social and environmental stakeholders, including, among others, employers' and workers' organisations, business groups, and environmental organisations.

The EU DAG under the EU-Vietnam FTA comprises members from the European Economic and Social Committee and other European civil society organisations.

The primary purpose of the DAG is to advise on the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter, by submitting views or recommendations to the Parties.