SOM3, which opens on Friday and runs until the end of this month in Ho Chi Minh City, will be attended by 2,100 delegates representing 21 APEC member economies. This year the number of participants at APEC meetings will be 10 times higher than in 2006, when Vietnam hosted the Forum for the first time. As part of the meeting, a Food Security Week has opened with a Policy Dialogue on Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Response to Climate Change.

Climate resilient sustainable agriculture

The Asia Pacific region has a population of 3 billion people, 40% of the global population. Thanks to advanced technologies and economic growth, many countries have ensured food self-sufficiency.  But poverty and child malnutrition remain. Asia Pacific, which suffers the most from natural disasters, is addressing the issue of food security and climate resilient sustainable agriculture. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong elaborates on Vietnam’s APEC agenda:“At this forum, we hope that our 3 messages will be approved. First, the framework plan for the food security development program. Second, the framework plan for rural development in harmony with urban areas. Third, the common framework orientation for sustainable agricultural development in Asia Pacific. These will create momentum for the movement to promote agricultural “start-ups.”

APEC integration, enormous economic benefit

In 20 years as an APEC member and having hosted two APEC Summits, Vietnam has made specific contributions to and benefited from this Forum. Vietnam has gone from being a country with food shortages to being the 2^nd largest rice exporter in the world with a competitive agriculture sector that meets the food needs of its 92 million people.

As an agricultural country severely impacted by climate change, Vietnam considers food security one of the pillars of a sustainable economy. Vietnam has set a number of goals at APEC meetings and particularly at the Policy Dialogue on Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Response to Climate Change. Minister Cuong said:“Food Security Week will involve agriculture-related goals, events, and actions. We will focus on food security in the context of sustainable agricultural development, which is adaptable to climate change, and rural development in harmony with urban areas amid urbanization and abnormal effects of natural disasters.”

After 30 years of renewal, Vietnam has achieved strong results in food security. Vietnam will take advantage of APEC events to share its success story and seek cooperation with other member economies.