Multilateral and multisectoral partnership agreement to boost food transformation in Vietnam

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as over 30 national and international partners, signed the “Partnership Agreement for Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Vietnam (FST-Partnership)”.

On the occasion of the signing of the Partnership Agreement, the United Nations in Vietnam kicked off a joint programme entitled “Incubation of Innovations in Partnerships and Financing for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Vietnam”, laying the groundwork for the Partnership’s activities.

Mr. Patrick Haverman, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, stated on behalf of the Participating United Nations Organizations shared his confident that the FST-Partnership will become a shining example of what can be achieved when government bodies, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector unite with a shared purpose.

“Vietnam is already taking a great stride ahead. The National Action Plan for Agrifood Systems Transformation (NAP-FST) of Vietnam, provides a visionary roadmap for this transformation. It underscores the critical need for innovation, partnerships, and financing mechanisms that can drive progress over the coming decade”, Mr. Haverman stated.

According to UNDP representative, "Incubation of Innovations in Partnerships and Financing for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Vietnam” is designed to support Vietnam’s ambitions for a transparent, responsible, and sustainable food system by 2030. Led by the three implementing UN agencies FAO, IFAD and UNDP, we at the UN are committed to supporting the Government and people of Vietnam in realizing this vision.

This joint programme will focus on the urgent needs of Vietnam to put in place and amplify the FST-Partnership and Working Groups, with three key elements including Building Strategic Partnerships, providing support in establishing a strong foundation of collaborative partnerships that will support agrifood system reforms. By bringing together stakeholders from the central and local governments, international organizations, private sector and civil society, we can foster innovation and drive coordinated action.

It helps reshape agricultural financing, sustainable and equitable financing is critical to long-term success. The programme will focus on redesigning agricultural financing structures to ensure efficiency, equity, and resilience, helping to mobilize the resources needed for system transformation.

Enhancing knowledge and capacity as UNDP will provide good practices and recommend institutional and technical solutions to strengthening food systems in Vietnam. This includes a focus on gender-responsive approaches, ensuring that women play a leading role in shaping Vietnam's agrifood systems.

“I am confident that this joint programme will set a benchmark for innovation in agrifood systems transformation—not just in Vietnam, but across the region”, said Mr. Haverman.

Speaking to Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative in Vietnam shared that the Partnership Agreement This will be a key instrument to accelerate the implementation of the National Action Plan on Food System Transformation with a vision for 2050.

“But the food system transformation partnership is only one step. We need also now to ensure that the technical working groups that were presented during the event are established and then the responsibilities of all partners that are clearly established”, said Mr. Womdim.

FAO's strategic framework supports the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food system for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life leaving no one behind.

Actually, the National Action Plan that has been approved by the Government on 28 March 2023 is closely aligned to the FAO strategic framework for the period of 2022-2031. In the coming time, FAO will continue to leverage innovation, technology, science and data to ensure meaningful input to agri-food policies and decision making. Secondly, FAO will also support the government in the formulation of policies, strategies and programs. Third, FAO will continue to help mobilize financial resources for the implementation of the National Action Plan. And fourth, FAO will continue to foster the strategic partnership including South-South and Triangular Cooperation partnership.

As one out of 30 partners signing the agreement, Ms. Estelle Biénabe, Agricultural economics researcher of CIRAD (French agricultural research and cooperation organization) stated that CIRAD is pleased to support that partnership, which is one of the most innovative developments which has been done worldwide in terms of moving forward the global agenda on sustainable food system transformation.

According to Ms. Biénabe, Vietnam is a pioneer in moving forward. This is a very important agenda for the country, for the world, and locally for the different provinces, because it unites different key sustainable goals, including food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity, health and nutrition.

“I am saying that it is a new type of agreement because it is really multilateral, multisectoral, interdisciplinary, so combining research expertise with governmental expertise, with all of the international development organizations’ support, towards achieving together a much better life for people and a better future”, CIRAD researcher spoke to Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper.

And in that agenda, the right to food is a very important aspect, as was strongly presented by the FAO representative, because it is a human right for everybody.

And on that, agricultural transformation can make a big difference. Vietnam has been secured food for the big weather changes, the important environmental degradations are threatening the capacity to sustain food security. Vietnam is also a strong provider of food to the world. So, it is important both for the local population to really remain resilient and in Vietnamese capacity to still be active globally in achieveing food sercurity.

Ms. Shirley Tarawali, Deputy director general of International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) shared that this opportunity aims to make a significant difference in the country, as it serves as a hub with research institutions worldwide, particularly in livestock research. ILRI has also participated in the One Health partnership, which is a collaborative model. Livestock is one of the areas that promotes a more inclusive transformation of the food system in Vietnam, as it integrates into the food system and adds diversity to diets.

US Agricultural Counselor to Vietnam Ralph Bean shared that the Food Systems Transformation Partnership is a very timely initiative. 

“Vietnam is undertaking some very ambitious efforts to bring its agriculture up to the very top level, and that will take a lot of work. Agriculture is a very complex field and there are a lot of different organizations involved, a lot of different government ministries involved. So initiating this partnership will be the first step for Vietnam to get a comprehensive handle on all the different activities that are going on and coordinate them and make sure that they support the strategies that the Vietnamese government has outlined in its various policies”, he elaborated.