Hanoi, Viet Nam. The newly appointed Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam, Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Le Minh Hoan.

At the meeting, Mr. Nono Womdim highlighted some of the many challenges that the world is currently facing, such as the population growth, urbanization, climate change and environmental degradation. On that note, he emphasized FAO’s commitment to continue the close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in line with FAO strategic framework that seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable, agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Viet Nam's agriculture has made a lot of achievements with regard to productivity, however, it is necessary to gain a better understanding for, and focus more on improving the food quality and safety of products. FAO and MARD are currently developing the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2022-2026, that will be articulated around the following three pillars: i)the One Health approach; ii)climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and resource conservation, and iii)the transformation of the food systems.

Expressing his appreciation for the long-standing and effective cooperation between FAO and MARD, the Minister affirmed that MARD is committed to accompanying FAO in implementing the projects and programs under the above three pillars of cooperation. He further underscored that MARD would continue their efforts to accelerate the implementation of the CPF with the highest possible outcomes.

Minister Le Minh Hoan also called on FAO’s support in specific areas, including the transformation of the rice-based farming model to a more multi-value integrated agroecology, the communication and education for Vietnamese farmers to access and familiarize themselves with the new plant health approach, the development of pilot agroecology models, and last but not least, strengthening Viet Nam’s engagement in the South-South Cooperation.