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Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh's message to WEF Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2021

VGP - Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh sent a pre-recorded video message to the session “Galvanizing country-led pathways for food” held on September 22 under the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2021.

September 23, 2021 4:55 PM GMT+7

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank the World Economic Forum for inviting me to address this Summit.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have exacerbated the weaknesses and shortcomings in the global food system, countries need to strengthen partnerships to promote the sustainability and adaptability of national food systems in the “new normal”.

Sustainable agriculture and food security are among the pillars of Viet Nam’s Socio-economic Development Strategy from 2021 to 2030, in which we prioritize the development of eco-farming, large-scale, hi-tech, low-emission and climate-resilient agriculture. And we are committed to the transition to a transparent, accountable and sustainable food system.

For further galvanising country-led pathways to food, I wish to propose the following areas of cooperation.

First, we must maintain stable and seamless agricultural supply chains globally. Countries need to minimise unnecessary barriers to food production and export, enhance value-chain connectivity, promote e-commerce and reform the system of origins-traceability, logistics, transport and quality control.

Viet Nam wishes to collaborate with all stakeholders to promote agriculture and fishery exports, thus moving Viet Nam upward in the regional and global agricultural supply chains.

Second, the green and digital transformation of agriculture is an urgent need. Therefore, financial, technological and capacity-building assistance for developing countries is critical for the transition to more sustainable and climate-resilient food systems.

Viet Nam stands ready to become a food innovation center in Asia, and will continue to actively join initiatives on innovation, digital transformation, and environmental protection in the agricultural sector.

Third, it is imperative to further strengthen platforms for partnership and cooperation in sustainable agriculture, and to encourage the participation and support of all actors, particularly through PPP projects.

Viet Nam is among the original members of the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture within the WEF – a partnership that could serve to be a model of reference in building partnerships in this area.

Fourth, given the strong urgency of containing the pandemic and promoting sustainable recovery, we stress the importance of equitable access to vaccines. The international community should also accelerate cooperation in the manufacturing of vaccines and treatment drugs in this regard.

Viet Nam is committed to working closely with partners around the world in the fight against COVID-19 and on the path toward sustainable and inclusive recovery, including green and sustainable agriculture.

Thank you./.