The dialogue is among a series of events to prepare the nation for its attendance in the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021.
Addressing the event, which was themed “VietnamFood Systems: Transparency, Responsibility, Sustainability,” Deputy PrimeMinister Pham Binh Minh stressed that Vietnam is deeply aware of the need forclose coordination among nations and factors in the food system in order tocreate extensive and intensive changes in the system.
Suchcoordination will help Vietnam perform better in poverty reduction and ensuringof food security and nutrition in rural and ethnic minority areas as well as invulnerable groups, particularly women and children, he said.
Minhalso noted that international cooperation will provide opportunities forVietnam to develop its key farm produce value chain in a transparent,responsible and sustainable manner.
TheGovernment official made clear that agriculture plays an important role inensuring food security, social stability and livelihoods for over 60 percent ofVietnam’s population who live in rural areas and contribute 14.85 percent ofthe national GDP (statistics in 2020).
Despitethe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the agriculturalsector was able to post a 2.68 percent growth rate in 2020. Besides ensuringfood security for nearly 100 million Vietnamese, the sector also gained animportant place in the global food system. Vietnam earned 41.53 billion USDfrom the export of agro-fishery-forestry products in 2020, and 24.23 billionUSD in the first half of 2021.
DeputyPM Minh added that the Vietnamese Government also pays attention to digitaltechnology and innovation in agriculture with the goal of raising productivity,improving food safety and connecting producers with consumers.
Ministerof Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan called attention to the factthat Vietnam’s food system is facing many challenges, as Vietnam is amongcountries hardest hit by climate change.
UNResident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra said the UN willaccompany the Vietnamese Government, along with development partners, totransform the food system, contributing to realising the SustainableDevelopment Goals.
World Bank Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turkalso affirmed that the WB and other development partners are willing to worktogether with the Vietnamese Government and the private sector in thetransformation process./.