Mobilizing investment for sustainable food systems

Dr. Dao The Anh, Associate Professor and Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), provided practical experience from Vietnam in the implementation of One Health at the "One Health Horizons: Catalyzing Collaborations, Innovations and Policies for Improving Global Health and Food Security" side event at the CGIAR Science Week.

During the event, the VAAS leader underscored the necessity of proactively mobilizing domestic resources in addition to seeking support from international organizations in order to effectively implement the One Health approach, which necessitates multisectoral coordination.

One notable example is the Vietnam One Health Partnership Framework (OHP), a forum that unites government agencies, the private sector, research institutions, and international organizations to encourage comprehensive and coordinated actions.

In order to support the national objective of food system transformation, the OHP framework has broadened its scope to include the promotion of an agroecological approach, the integration of objectives related to the health of crops, soil, and water, and the monitoring of the use of fertilizers and antibiotics in both farming and livestock production.

In addition, Dr. Dao The Anh underscored the significance of implementing the One Health approach at the field level by establishing local-level One Health facilities and enhancing the capacity of grassroots officials through the development of data platforms.

A previous session, "Promoting Regional Integration and South-South Cooperation," which focused on the transformation of food systems, underscored the significant progress made by the CGIAR-ASEAN partnership in improving climate adaptation capacity and transforming food systems.

Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Mr. To Viet Chau, highlighted the significance of establishing comprehensive partnerships, promoting innovation, strengthening knowledge-sharing, building capacity, and aligning CGIAR support with national priorities in the context of climate change. Scaling up the CGIAR-ASEAN regional program to enhance food and nutrition security is a notable approach.

This program's primary objective is to enhance the livelihoods of food producers, guarantee consumers' access to affordable, nutritious, and healthy food, and simultaneously establish a healthier natural environment throughout the ASEAN region.

The One Health approach is incorporated into the program to address the health of humans, animals, and the environment in a comprehensive manner. It is especially crucial to implement this strategy in the Southeast Asian region, where numerous infectious diseases are emerging and reemerging.

In response to the current global challenges of climate change, land degradation, and food insecurity, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is partnering with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to host the inaugural CGIAR Science Week from May 7–12.

This occasion gathers prominent scientists and policymakers in the fields of agriculture, climate, and health, facilitating the development of strategic partnerships, fostering innovation, promoting action, and advancing research in order to mobilize investment in sustainable food systems that benefit both people and the environment.