Vietnam contributes three initiatives to promote the transformation of food system

The virtual event also saw the attendance of a member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, Director General of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – FAO, and agricultural leaders of other countries. 

The meeting will provide a dialogue-driven overview of the Food Systems Summit, guests from member countries and global leaders pioneering the initiatives, priorities, and commitments being implemented to support the realization of the goal of the UN Food Food System, thereby defining a strategic action plan to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Giving his remark at the event, Minister Le Minh Hoan affirmed that Vietnam welcomes and actively responds to the call of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Food Systems Summit in 2021. Vietnam looks forward to contributing to the construction of the global food safety system as a “responsible, transparent, and sustainable” food provider country. 

On behalf of the Ministry, he shared three key initiatives that Vietnam wants to cooperate with international partners to improve the transformation of food systems in Asia and the world. 

Vietnam wants to promote the connectivities of domestic and transboundary creative reform networks. Attaching research and adoption activities to the demands of enterprises, food systems, and the economy. Vietnam wants to become a food innovation hub in the Asian region. 

Secondly, Vietnam will strengthen digital technical appliance, maximum exploit 4.0 technology application to build agriculture value chain which is smart, sustainable and highly adaptive to trauma, shock, and stress. The country is considering digital transformation a key mission in the agriculture industry while MARD goals to develop the digital economy in agriculture by promoting businesses and farmers to apply digital technology in the production process and provide agricultural services.

Vietnam will strongly develop the ecology agriculture production, ensuring the attachment of producers and consumers as a vital requirement for food security. 

“Vietnam is committed to continuing its orientation towards large-scale, low-emission agriculture and sustainable growth. We affirm our participation in the program “100 million farmers: transition to a net-zero and environmentally friendly food system” initiated by WEF,” the Minister said. 

According to FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, the food security issues in Asia as well as in the world have been hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and it must be reviewed to define causes, solutions in the coming time. Development programs need to include the poor in the rural area and build up a more inclusive and complete food system to provide sufficient food for people. 

Transformation in agriculture and food production helps to better connect stakeholders, creating a mechanism to track and understand countries' progress in achieving the development goals of the United Nations.

“It takes over eight more years to rush the goals and there are a lot of works need to be done, in which the issue goes far beyond the agricultural investment and production to international trade promotion, opening to approach new markets or upgrade of infrastructure and technologies to promote the connection between producers and consumers…,” said Qu Dongyu.