Vietnam hopes to become food innovation hub of Asia: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has addressed the session "Catalyzing Country-led Innovation to Transform Food Systems" during the Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit held online on July 27.

The following is the full text of his statement

"Excellencies,  
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to attend the Pre-Summit of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.

Despite the remarkable achievements in eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development around the world, we are yet faced with a myriad of formidable challenges. These include the unpredictable consequences of climate change, the increasing scarcity of resources for agricultural production, and the hurdles in transforming food systems via the greater use of advanced technology. The COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the problems within global food systems, and brought about new obstacles to sustainable development.

Against such backdrop, the urgent task facing us today is to bolster and further enhance international cooperation so as to defeat hunger and poverty, and ensure food and nutrition security for 7.9 billion people worldwide.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Fully understanding the importance of agricultural modernization to sustainable development, in its Socio-economic Development Strategy for 2021-2030, Viet Nam seeks to accelerate agricultural restructuring, develop a modernity-oriented agriculture focusing on the large-scale and specialized production of goods, and promote high-tech agriculture. We also work to improve the resilience and adaptability of agricultural sector against climate change, and align this sector with the processing industry, markets, export activities, and global value chains.

Viet Nam has adopted a series of policies to attract greater investment and modernize its agricultural sector. We also took the lead in establishing the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Viet Nam under the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Viet Nam will actively contribute to expediting the transformation of global food systems as a food providing country that upholds “transparency, responsibility and sustainability.” This would serve to create comprehensive and sustainable breakthroughs for the entire system, and fulfill the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I would like to draw your attention to the following proposals:

First, efforts should be made to link domestic and cross-border innovation networks. Research and application efforts should take account of the demands of businesses, the food system, and the economy as a whole. In addition, Viet Nam wishes to become a Food Innovation Hub of Asia.

Second, it is necessary to advance the use of digital technology and tap the achievements of the 4th Industrial Revolution in order to develop smart agriculture value chains. Viet Nam has made digital transformation a key priority in the agricultural sector, and encouraged the application of digital technology in agricultural production and business activities.

Third, food systems need to be transformed into “green”, sustainable and low-emission models. Due attention should be given to eco-friendly agricultural production. Viet Nam also considers this an opportunity to promote “green” growth and the development of new “green” products, services and jobs.
In this connection, Viet Nam aims at fostering large-scale, low-emission and sustainable agricultural development, and strives to reach net-zero emissions. Viet Nam will actively take part in the “100 Million Farmers Initiative: Transitioning towards net-zero, nature-positive food systems” and other initiatives on agricultural innovation in response to climate change.

I look forward to the cooperation and support of international partners in this endeavor.

Thank you!"

The pre-summit, held in Rome of Italy from July 26 - 28, is an important step preparing for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021, scheduled to take place at the UN headquarters in New York, the US, in September. It is organised by the UN in coordination with the Government of Italy, which is holding the Presidency of the G20.