The transformation of Viet Nam’s agrifood systems has taken a key step forward with a landmark conference to harness national commitment and map out a pathway forward to address intensifying agrifood challenges.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) hosted a conference titled "Implementing the National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation towards Transparency, Responsibility, and Sustainability in Viet Nam" in Ha Noi to discuss ways for the government, private sector, and international organizations to collaborate in the successful implementation of Viet Nam's National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation (NAP-FST).

The conference – co-chaired by MARD Minister Mr. Le Minh Hoan and FAO Representative in Viet Nam Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim – featured more than 180 participants including France’s Ambassador to Viet Nam Mr. Olivier Brochet, leaders from MARD, the Ministries of Health, Natural Resources and Environment, Industry and Trade, Provincial People’s Committees, diplomatic missions and United Nations agencies.

This MARD-FAO initiative comes at a critical time, with Viet Nam’s agrifood systems increasingly impacted by the interconnected and cascading effects of the climate crisis, pollution and biodiversity loss. In addition, agrifood systems drive the degradation of natural resources and ecosystems as well as greenhouse gas emissions, as they are largely based on non-renewable energy, inefficient technologies and overuse of fertilizers.

These challenges contrast with the agrifood sector’s role as an important pillar in national poverty reduction and economic development efforts. In 2022, the sector generated 12 percent of gross domestic product, while in the first 10 months of 2023 the value of agrifood exports hit USD43.08 billion, with rice a leading performer.

As a result of presentations on the NAP-FST from key stakeholders and plenary discussions, the conference realized a number of important outcomes. Key headlines include a renewed commitment by stakeholders to contribute to NAP-FST implementation as well as endorsement of a proposal to establish a “Food Partnership” and five technical working groups focussed on agro-ecology, nutrition and local food diversification, food loss and food waste, responsible consumption and policies. Conference participants were encouraged to join the groups, with the “Food Partnership” expected to be formally established by the end of April 2024.

Furthermore, conference participants agreed that a scientific and systematic approach, cooperation between public and private sectors, and international community support are essential for food systems transformation.

FAO Representative in Viet Nam Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim underlined FAO's continued commitment to support local partners in achieving these goals, while representatives from France, Ireland and other countries and international organizations expressed their readiness to cooperate with the Vietnamese Government to implement the NAP-FST.

FAO supported the government during formulation of the NAP-FST, approved by the Prime Minister’s Office in March 2023. It followed the UN Food Systems Summit held during the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2021 that set the stage for global agrifood systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Implementation of the NAP-FST is led by MARD, which is directly responsible for 30 out of 36 tasks.