Hau Giang Province, Viet Nam. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), successfully co-organized the Vietnam-Africa Policy Dialogue on South-South Cooperation (SSC) for Agricultural System Transformation on 12 December 2023, in Vị Thanh City, Hậu Giang Province.

The policy dialogue was part of the International Rice Festival in Viet Nam, held from 11-15 December 2023, in Hậu Giang Province. The workshop aimed to foster knowledge exchange in sustainable rice value chains between Viet Nam and several African countries under the South South Cooperation (SSC) Framework. The ultimate goal of the policy dialogue and the subsequent SSC facilitation is to foster cooperation in bridging the knowledge gap, transforming agrifood systems, ensure food security and hence achieve the SDG targets.

The dialogue brought together key stakeholders, including experts from several Vietnamese and African institutions, representatives of international organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), scientists, businesses, and agricultural agencies. It provided an opportunity to share cooperation experiences and identify effective means of exchanging technical knowledge to transform agrifood systems.

Experts from the FAO, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), MARD, IRRI, and Grow Asia presented on enhancing innovations in Africa. Panel discussions addressed food system transformation, challenges, opportunities, and the role of South-South Cooperation in narrowing technical knowledge gaps. Examples were shared on sustainable rice development through projects like the GIZ-funded "Green Innovation Centers - GIC."

During the dialogue, Viet Nam, FAO, and Sierra Leone signed an agreement to facilitate the transfer of sustainable rice-farming technology. Additionally, MARD and IRRI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for technological and institutional cooperation to support agri-food system transformation under the SSC framework. These activities mark significant collaboration between Viet Nam and the international community, demonstrating the Vietnamese government's commitment to international cooperation, sustainable agrifood system transformation and global food security.