Vietnam will join FAO to host World Food Day 2025

On the afternoon of February 6, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Mr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, to discuss strengthening cooperation in agriculture, food security, environmental protection, and rural development amid global trade shifts and climate change.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong partnership with FAO, acknowledging its invaluable support both in challenging times and in the country’s ongoing development. He commended FAO for its role as a key international platform for knowledge-sharing, policy guidance, and financial mobilization in food and agriculture, with initiatives that align with the interests of developing nations.

Vietnam will collaborate with FAO to successfully organize the 80th-anniversary celebrations in 2025 and engage in international cooperation programs, such as sharing expertise with African countries on land utilization, hunger eradication, and poverty reduction.

The Prime Minister highlighted that although agriculture accounted for just 11% of Vietnam’s GDP in 2024, the sector remains a cornerstone of the economy, ensuring food security, social stability, and livelihoods. Vietnam also actively participates in global initiatives to enhance food security and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Prime Minister cited the Vietnamese proverb, “A bite when hungry is worth a whole bag when full,” emphasizing Vietnam’s deep appreciation for international support during difficult times. Now, as an agricultural powerhouse, Vietnam has made significant contributions to global food security, particularly by increasing rice exports at a time when some countries have imposed export restrictions and supply chains remain disrupted.

To strengthen cooperation, the Prime Minister urged FAO to continue supporting Vietnam in restructuring its agricultural sector to enhance value-added production and promote sustainable, smart, and climate-resilient development. He also emphasized the importance of advancing agricultural industrialization, rural urbanization, and the creation of greener, cleaner, and more modern rural areas, along with accelerating digital transformation in the sector.

The Prime Minister asked FAO to continue supporting Vietnam in the process of restructuring the agricultural sector. Photo: VGP.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu praised Vietnam’s remarkable progress in poverty alleviation, improving livelihoods, and advancing agriculture. He highlighted the country’s success in initiatives such as the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program and exporting key agricultural products, including rice and fruits.

Expressing confidence in Vietnam’s continued economic growth, he stated that by 2025, the country would maintain strong momentum and, in the coming years, could potentially double its GDP, paving the way to high-income status and ensuring greater prosperity and well-being for its people.

Mr. Qu Dongyu noted that while Vietnam has limited land resources, it holds a unique historical position and unparalleled potential to transform its agricultural sector. With a relatively young farming population and strong government support and investment, Vietnam is well-positioned to make even greater contributions to global agriculture.

Director-General Qu Dongyu encouraged Vietnam to further strengthen its collaboration with FAO, particularly by enhancing its role in facilitating trilateral cooperation programs between FAO, Vietnam, and African nations. He also emphasized the importance of expanding South-South cooperation to drive sustainable agricultural and food system transformation worldwide.