(VOVWORLD) - The UN’s fourth global conference on Sustainable Food Systems – One Planet Network will close in Hanoi on Thursday. Vietnam's efforts to transform the food system were praised by the delegates, who said Vietnam has done a good job of promoting the transformation of global food systems.
 A meeting within the framework of the UN’s 4th global conference on Sustainable Food Systems – One Planet Network (photo: qdnd) |
Vietnam has had strong achievements in agricultural production. From a net food importer, Vietnam has become self-sufficient and one of the world's largest food exporters. Vietnam is transforming its food system toward sustainability.
Active in food system transformation
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said Vietnam's agriculture is facing three major changes incluiding climate change, market fluctuations, and changes in consumer trends. But the sector has proactively responded to the challenges.
Vietnam has a comprehensive agricultural strategy to ensure food security and improve farmers’ lives. On March 28, the Vietnamese government issued a "National action plan to create a transparent, responsible, and sustainable food system by 2030". Its goal is to transform the food system toward transparent, responsible, and sustainable production, processing, distribution, and consumption and ensure food security, the environment, and climate change response.
Minister Hoan said that to implement the action plan, Vietnam will re-assess all mechanisms, policies, standards, and procedures for food production, processing, and consumption toward transparency, responsibility, and sustainability.
Vietnam is studying the establishment of a "Food Innovation Center" and a program of “1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice”.
 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan (photo: Doan Tan/VNA) |
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing an Action Plan to realize the Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development, which mentions the goal of becoming a center of food system transformation for the region. Vietnam is urging international organizations, donors, and financial institutions to cooperate to transform agriculture in line with global trends,” said. Mr. Hoan.
Vietnam has stepped up activities to realize its net zero emissions commitment by 2050 and implemented the Reducing Global Methane Emissions Initiative and Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use.
Minister Hoan said: “Vietnam has committed to achieving net zero emission by 2050. Vietnam has also committed to building a responsible, sustainable agriculture to join the global value chain and global food supply chain. This will be achieved only with a strong sense of responsibility from farmers, producers, and businesses.”
As the host of the global conference, Vietnam coordinated with other countries to hold 9 official sessions, 10 technical sessions, and a field trip to share experience in food system transformation.
Vietnam is on the right track
Representatives from a number of international organizations said Vietnam has done a good job of promoting sustainable food systems.
Gunther Beger, Executive Director of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), said Vietnam has made remarkable progress in food production and processing, but production development entails environmental degradation, so Vietnam needs to transform its food system toward a more sustainable and green agriculture.
Corinna Hawkes, Director of Food Systems and Food Safety for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said Vietnam has played a role in agricultural transformation toward sustainability. Vietnam can share its experience with the world and vice versa. Countries can learn from each other in this field.
Transforming the food system is critical to achieving all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.