Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the United Nations (UN) in Vietnam, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN in Vietnam on October 18 jointly organised the commemoration of Word Food Day 2024 (October 16).
On this occasion, the ministry launched the Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development to 2030 and a vision to 2050. They signed the Partnership Agreement for Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Vietnam (FST-Partnership), and kicked off the UN joint programme on “Incubation of Innovations in Partnerships and Financing for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Vietnam”.
World Food Day 2024 themed “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future” is an opportunity to widely share global commitments to ensuring access to adequate food for all, through sustainable and equitable food systems transformation.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that Vietnam's agriculture plays an important role in ensuring food security, social stability and livelihoods for over 60% of the population living in rural areas. It contributed 12% of the country's gross domestic product in 2023 and created jobs for nearly 40% of the workforce, making an important contribution to poverty reduction.
However, the agriculture sector is facing challenges, he noted.
With the goal of proactively, responsibly participating in globalisation and solving the challenges of global agriculture, while integrating into the world for sustainable development of Vietnamese agriculture and rural areas, the ministry has issued a decision approving the Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development an international cooperation plan to 2030 with vision to 2050.
FAO Representative to Vietnam Rémi Nono Womdim said that in Vietnam, the proportion of the population that cannot afford a healthy diet is much lower than in neighbouring countries.
In particular, Vietnam has developed and adopted a national roadmap for food system transformation. The roadmap is expected to ensure equitable access to a sufficient and diverse range of nutritious, safe and affordable foods for all Vietnamese people, he added./.
