The Mekong Delta Regional Dialogue with the theme: "Cooperation in production and trade towards building a transparent - responsible - sustainable Vietnamese food system" was held on July 2.
Overview of the dialogue with the theme: "Cooperation in production and trade towards building a transparent - responsible - sustainable Vietnamese food system"
The dialogue was organized by the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development (DC-RD), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Institute of Nutrition (Ministry of Health).
This is an activity within the series of national and regional dialogue events for Vietnam to attend the United Nations Food and Food Systems Summit taking place in September 2021.
The purpose of the dialogue is to create conditions for stakeholders to share and contribute ideas on the current situation, directions, solutions and initiatives to promote cooperation between actors in the food system, contributing to building a sustainable and inclusive food system (FS) of the Mekong Delta (MD) in particular and of Vietnam in general.
Attending the Dialogue were delegates representing stakeholders, including ministries, 13 provinces and cities in the MD, some provinces and cities representing regions across the country; Farmers' Association, Business Association and Associations representing actors in the FSS system; research institutes, universities, the private sector, development partners and non-governmental organizations.
Mr. Le Duc Thinh, Director of the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development; Mr. Nguyen Song Ha, Assistant Chief Representative of FAO in Vietnam and Ms. Truong Tuyet Mai, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition co-chaired the Dialogue.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Le Duc Thinh said: The Mekong Delta is one of the strategic food production, processing and supply regions of the country, serving domestic consumption and export needs.
In addition, the Mekong Delta also faces serious challenges from climate change, natural disasters, overexploitation of resources (land, water and ecosystems), lack of cohesion in production, trade, and even international relations in basin management.
The relationship between actors in the food system in the Mekong Delta comprehensively reflects the picture of production, consumption and trade relations of the whole country. Strengthening and building transparent and effective cooperative relationships between actors is both the foundation and the pillar for building a sustainable food system in all aspects.
According to Mr. Nguyen Song Ha, the FS system is a pillar of FAO's strategic program in the next 5 years.
FAO's efforts will be aimed at supporting member countries to achieve the goals: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life. FAO will accompany Vietnam in the coming years through technical assistance and policy advice programs to help Vietnam achieve the goal of building a sustainable and inclusive FS system".
The 2021 United Nations Summit aims to orient the FS system to develop more sustainably, comprehensively and more resiliently, creating multi-dimensional impacts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The conference focuses on 5 action objectives including: Ensuring access to safe and balanced food for all; Transforming consumption trends towards healthy and sustainable; Promoting environmentally friendly production; Enhancing equality in sharing values and livelihoods; Building resilience to vulnerabilities and shocks.
According to Baoquocte.vn