A press briefing on the 4th Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems - One Planet Network takes place in Hanoi, April 18, 2023. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The Ministerial Conference will draw 200 foreign delegates representing countries, UN agencies, and international organizations. Themed “Emerging from global crises by shaping sustainable, resilient, healthy, and inclusive food systems,” the conference will examine major barriers to the transformation of food systems and put forward recommendations to ensure global food security.

Promoting multilateral cooperation for sustainable food systems

A sustainable food system aims at food security, nutrition, and a healthy diet, while limiting negative impacts on the environment and improving socio-economic welfare. Such a system plays a particularly important role in achieving all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Building sustainable food systems faces obstacles due to supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change, epidemics, and political instability in many countries.

Countries need to cooperate to build sustainable food systems, particularly with the world population forecast to reach 10 billion people by 2050.

Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the Office for Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization says multilateralism is the only way for countries to effectively solve systemic problems. No country can alone create a sustainable food system. And the United Nations is a valuable space for global cooperation, providing equal opportunities for all.

The UN has organized 3 global conferences to promote initiatives for food cooperation.

At the first Global Conference in South Africa in 2017, participants agreed to expand the Sustainable Food System (SFS) network with more stakeholders from Africa and Asia. The participants agreed on the need to move from words to actions and create a better policy environment for changing the food system.

At the second Global Conference in Costa Rica in 2019, participants agreed to develop cooperation models to create sustainable food systems, strengthen the shared vision, and build trust and capacity.

At the third Conference, held online in 2020, participants unanimously agreed that the development of sustainable food systems is central to achieving all development goals, including poverty reduction, hunger elimination, food security, nutrition and health improvement, social welfare, and decent work.

Stefanos Fotiou, who is also Director of the UN Food System Coordination Center, said the goal of the fourth Conference in Hanoi will be to move from challenge to solution. Delegates will shift the focus from "why" to "how" to make the transformation of the food system possible at the national level.

Vietnam, a responsible member in resolving global matters

The UN chose Vietnam to host the fourth Conference because Vietnam has emerged as the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. Last year, Vietnam exported agricultural products worth 54 billion USD and this year it aims to earn 55 billion USD. The UN has praised Vietnam for its food responsibility to the world.

Vietnam's agricultural industry is moving towards a multi-value integrated growth model, high technology, diversity, sustainability, low emissions, appropriate use of resources, ecological and environmental protection, and biodiversity conservation.

Vietnam wants to be "a transparent, responsible, and sustainable supplier of food and foodstuff" and a responsible UN member for food and energy security, climate change, and pandemics.

The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has 7 more years to eradicate poverty and move toward peace, prosperity, and equal opportunity for all. The fourth Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems – One Planet Network next week is a necessary step to complete the UN 2030 Agenda and promote sustainable development globally.