Five key messages from the fourth Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems

After three and a half days of active and effective work, the fourth Global Conference of the One Planet Network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme with the theme "THE TRANSFORMATION WE NEED: Emerging from global crises by shaping sustainable, resilient, healthy, and inclusive food systems" hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Hanoi, started its closing session on the morning of April 27.

The role and position of Vietnam in the world are enhanced

Through the conference, Vietnam's prestige, role and position as a "transparent, responsible and sustainable food supplier", a responsible member for global issues including food and energy security, climate change, emerging pandemics are enhanced.

Mr. Christian Hoffer, Minister of Agriculture of Switzerland, assessed that Vietnam has a lot of experience and good models in transforming a transparent, responsible and sustainable food system. “Vietnam has shared a lot of experiences with delegates participating in the fourth Global Conference directly or online. Through the mass media, Vietnam makes an important contribution to the transformation of the global food system towards transparency, accountability and sustainability”.

Sharing the same view, Ms. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, Deputy Director of the United Nations Food System Coordination Center commented: "Vietnam's models and practices have inspired the participating countries joining the conference this time".

Vietnam has turned verbal commitments into strong and specific actions from the central to local levels, aiming to effectively implement the “National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation toward Transparency Responsibility and Sustainability by 2030”.

Not only pioneering the transformation of sustainable food system, Vietnam is also willing to share experiences and cooperate with other countries in developing agriculture and rural areas, ensuring food security, especially through the South-South cooperation program.

Three cooperation mechanisms proposed by the host country of the fourth Global Conference include:

I) Promote South-South cooperation to ensure food security and transform sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems in developing countries;

II) Establish a food innovation network for Southeast Asia within the framework of the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Development Partnership to expand cooperation in research, policy making and promote the replication of green, environment-friendly, low-emission and sustainable models.

III) Strengthen cooperation with international partners, development stakeholders and countries to implement the “National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation toward Transparency Responsibility and Sustainability by 2030”; share knowledge, experience, good practice models with other countries to jointly transform the sustainable food system.

Five key messages from the conference

In addition to the series of exchange sessions throughout the conference, the participants were also introduced to good and typical models of the transformation of the food system through 5 field trips in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, and Thai Nguyen by the host country Vietnam. Appreciating the organization as well as the participation of stakeholders in the conference, a total of more than 300 participants agreed on the conference’s five key messages:

I) Food system transformation toward sustainability and resilience is a prerequisite for addressing crises related to food insecurity, malnutrition, health, climate change, biodiversity loss, conflict, as well as high consumption and energy prices.

II) Food system transformation requires a global approach. However, the choice of how to transform the food system should take into account the specific context of each country and localities of that country.

III) Food system transformation needs to be associated with relevant factors including climate change, biodiversity, trade, and at the same time utilize an inclusive, multi-sectoral, multi-sectoral and holistic approach system.

IV) Food system transformation at the national level requires sufficient political will and the participation and coordination of all sectors and fields, stakeholders from central to local levels, as well as the coordination of international organizations, public and private sectors. The transformation process requires cohesion between long-term strategies and short-term plans, long-term goals and short-term objectives.

V) Food system transformation requires mobilizing resources including science and technology, finance, and innovation. In particular, financial resources and policies need to be consistent and comprehensive at the global, national and local levels. Financial policies need to approach three aspects: motivation, innovation and investment.