Remarks by H.E. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.(Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA).

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cooperation among countries, partners, and actors within the food systems must serve the interest of the people. Food security lays the groundwork for Viet Nam’s efforts in eradicating poverty, improving the people’s living standards, promoting the “transparent, responsible and sustainable” development of the Vietnamese agriculture.

At our Summit today, I wish to make a number of proposals as follows:

First, we need to pursue a “multi-value” agricultural development model, encompassing socio-economic-cultural issues, landscapes and the environment. It is necessary to develop a green, low-emission and “nature-based” agriculture that is climate resilient and responsive to the complicated evolution of COVID-19. Priority should be given to promoting rural economic development, ensuring food supplies, reducing food loss and food waste, effectively managing natural resources, and biodiversity conservation.

Second, make necessary investment in agricultural infrastructure conducive to agriculture production and rural economic development. Private sectors should be encouraged to make responsible investment, and we should also better expand public-private partnership models.

Viet Nam has numerous innovative models to ensure food security under the common name of “Our Garden”, revolving around a system of shared values, obligations, actions and interest. We stand ready to share our experience on this matter, and look forward to the support from the international community to multiply this initiative.

Third, formulate and frequently update a National Nutrition-Balanced Plan as the basis for production and distribution. It is also essential that we step up education and information dissemination to create a healthy food system, appropriate and nutrition-balanced diets, and green and responsible consumption trends, while preventing wastefulness.

Fourth, digitalization needs to be accompanied by policy and institutional reforms that revolve around farmers and consumers. We need to form sustainable agricultural value chains, focusing on food safety and standardization of procedures and qualities.

Fifth, Viet Nam stands ready to participate in cooperation arrangements led by the UN and we aspire to become a “food innovation hub” in the region.

Sixth, expand international cooperation in conducting studies and forecasts, and building early warning systems for natural disasters and diseases. It is also necessary to ensure the sustainable management of land and water resources, biodiversity, cross-border water and marine resources.

If we all “work together,” nothing is impossible, including the realization of the SDGs - 2030.

Thank you.

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PV