National Dialogue - Mekong Delta Region
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Overview of the ceremony. (Source: Tuoi tre Thu do) |
The Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development (DCRD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Institute of Nutrition (under the Ministry of Health), organizes the Sub-National Dialogue "Partnerships in Production and Trade for Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems of Viet Nam" with specific focus on the Mekong Delta.
This is the fourth out of a series of five national and sub-national dialogues in the run-up towards the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) to be held in September 2021.
The Dialogue objectives are to provide updates and facilitate exchange on the status, direction, solutions and initiatives to promote partnerships and collaboration among the food systems actors.
Participating in the Dialogue are the representatives of various stakeholders groups, including line ministries, provincial authorities (especially those from the Mekong Delta), Viet Nam Farmers' Union, business associations, research institutions, universities, private sector entities, development partners and non-governmental organization (NGOs).
“The Mekong Delta is one of Viet Nam’s strategic regions for food production, processing and supply , serving for both domestic consumption and export demand,” said Mr. Le Duc Thinh, DCRD Director General, “however the Delta is facing significant threats posed by climate change, natural disasters, over-exploitation of resources including soil, water and ecosystems, lack of cohesion in the production and trade as well as effective coordination of basin management. Fostering healthy relationships among actors would form a solid basis for sustainable food systems in all aspects.”
The UNFSS 2021 aims to strategize the actions to be taken to make food systems more inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and impactful to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2030 Agenda of the UN.
The Summit will focus on five action tracks, namely: ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; shift to sustainable consumption patterns; boost nature-positive production; advance equitable livelihoods and value distribution; and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress.
“FAO is working rigorously to help its member States to pursue better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life. FAO stands ready to provide necessary assistance and normative advice to Viet Nam not only prepare for the UNFSS but also to help the country in building truly sustainable and inclusive food systems in the coming years" said Nguyen Song Ha, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).