Promoting multi-sectoral coordination and multilateral cooperation in food safety management in Vietnam

On July19, in Hanoi, following the success of the 1st annual meeting launching the Food Safety Technical Working Group (FSTWG) under the Vietnam One Health Partnership (OHP) framework in September 2023, the 2nd technical meeting was chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The FSTWG is one of the five inter-sectoral technical working groups within the OHP framework for zoonoses control. (The partnership framework is primarily chaired by MARD with the co-chairmanship of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Le Ba Anh, Deputy Director General of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (NAFIQAD), MARD, and Dr. Fred Unger, Regional Representative for Asia, ILRI, with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Sub-Department of Animal Health from 20 provinces (participating online), private sector, institutes, associations, and especially the active participation of bilateral and multilateral international development partners, all committed to a healthy Vietnam through this meeting’s theme: From Farm to Table.

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Le Ba Anh acknowledged the progress made since the first meeting, reaffirming that food safety remains a top priority. Within the OHP framework, MARD strives to effectively coordinate, create mechanisms, forums for sharing, scaling up research results, lessons learned from international and national food safety programs, and act as a bridge connecting national stakeholders and international development partners to address the needs of Vietnamese government agencies, providing a basis for cooperation and technical support, and allocating resources suitable to Vietnam’s conditions.

Agreeing with this viewpoint, Dr. Fred Unger appreciated the spirit of cooperation and responsibility of the stakeholders, stating: "The Food Safety Technical Working Group serves as an important platform for stakeholders from different sectors to share experiences, propose initiatives, and enhance multi-sectoral coordination and cooperation."

At the 2nd meeting, the parties focused on i) the progress of transforming the food system and managing food safety incidents; ii) food safety communication activities in 2024 and the implementation of food safety activities by government, private sector, and international partners; iii) consultation on the results from ongoing projects and programs; difficulties and solutions for food safety interventions, iv) proposed mechanisms to enhance coordination and cooperation; and v) outlined the desired support from international partners and stakeholders for relevant ministries and sectors.

Associate Professor Dao The Anh from the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), MARD, updated on the progress of the Food System Transformation Action Plan in Vietnam, emphasizing the need for strong multi-sectoral cooperation and international support, particularly in food safety management throughout the chain, from farm to table. Representative from the Ministry of Health provided a detailed report on food poisoning incidents and the implementation of food safety assurance measures, calling for international support, especially in communication efforts. They also expressed a desire for ministries to coordinate and support each other in enhancing food safety management according to their functions and responsibilities to ensure the health of people, animals, and the environment.

The forum provided an opportunity for different sectors and stakeholders to share experiences, knowledge, and best practices from ongoing initiatives, projects, and programs on food safety, where the initiative from the private sector was jointly presented by representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade and the High Technology Association on the linkage of retail businesses in applying high technology in food quality management and product recall processes. This is a typical public-private partnership model that should be replicated. Additionally, government agencies and bilateral and multilateral international organizations also updated and recommended interventions, solutions, and mechanisms for enhancing food safety management from central to local levels.

The meeting reached a high consensus on the comprehensive and multi-sectoral One Health approach, proposing key tasks and priorities for the sectors in the coming time. All parties affirmed the common spirit of responsibility in controlling food safety, actively coordinating, supporting each other, and demonstrating a shared responsibility for a healthy community, ensuring a sustainable food safety framework for Vietnam, and helping Vietnam continue to be a reliable and safe food supplier to the world.

The meeting was co-funded by the CGIAR One Health Initiative and the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program.