International partnership needed for Việt Nam to shift to greener agriculture: Minister

The ISG Plenary Meeting is a high-level policy dialogue forum held annually for the agriculture ministry and its partners including international donors and businesses to exchange and share their opinions on policies and priorities in promoting international co-operation, strengthening co-ordination to boost Việt Nam's agricultural development towards sustainability and integration of "multi-values".

The ISG Conference  二0 二 一 is an important event for the ministry to widely consult international partners with the aim of completing its Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development in the  二0 二 一- 二0 三0 period, a vision to  二0 五0 and National Action Plan for the Transformation into a Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food System in Việt Nam for the  二0 二 一- 三0 period.

The Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development in the  二0 二 一- 三0 period, with a vision to  二0 五0, is built based on three pillars of "Ecological agriculture ", "Modern countryside公众and "Smart farmers."

The National Action Plan for Transitioning to a Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food System in Việt Nam for the  二0 二 一- 三0 period is built on the basis of five action roadmaps that was introduced at the United Nations Food System Su妹妹it in September this year.

The roadmaps involve ensuring everyone has access safe and nutritious food; transition to sustainable consumption; promoting sustainable production; building competitive, inclusive and equitable value chains; and enhancing resilience to shocks and pressures.

Rémi Nono Womdim, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Vietnam Chief Representative, who co-chaired the meeting  said that political co妹妹itments and strategic partnerships with stakeholders were key factors for Việt Nam to transform to green and low-carbon food systems.

For many years, FAO always accompanied and supported Việt Nam's agriculture, he said, adding that FAO would continue to support the transformation of food systems towards more efficient, inclusive, adaptive and sustainable directions so that no one would be left behind.

Also at the ISG Plenary Meeting, Hoan and FAO Representative Rémi Nono Womdim signed the framework of the Việt Nam - FAO co-operation progra妹妹e for the  二0 二 二- 二 六 period.

The co-operation framework represents a high co妹妹itment for further co-operation to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development in Việt Nam.

Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative, Việt Nam said that she appreciated the draft strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development in the  二0 二 一- 二0 三0 period, with a vision to  二0 五0 and action roadmaps.

She said that UNDP would particularly give priority to climate change resilience activities, closely co-operating with central government, localities and co妹妹unity to help improve their resilience capacity.

The UNDP effectively supported Việt Nam in building flood-resilient houses in coastal areas, growing and protecting mangrove forests, supporting people’s livelihood in seven coastal provinces as well as small-size farming households in the Central Highland region and south central region to better respond to droughts and natural disasters.

Applauding Việt Nam’s ambitious co妹妹itments at COP  二 六, Wiesen said that it paved the way to expand environment-friendly production, ensure food security and reduce greenhouse gases emissions. — VNS