Viet Nam, FAO expand programs in agriculture and rural development

At the meeting, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated the role of FAO within the United Nations development system, particularly in promoting agricultural cooperation, rural development, and ensuring global food security.

Affirming that Viet Nam always regards FAO as a leading and important partner in agricultural and rural development, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man welcomed cooperative projects between FAO and Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities on transforming food systems, as well as implementing the project on sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta by 2030.

FAO Director-General expressed his pleasure at meeting Tran Thanh Man and at welcoming the first high-level Vietnamese leader to visit FAO Headquarters after many years.

He recalled his positive impressions from previous visits to Viet Nam and witnessing the country’s remarkable transformation over the years, from its struggle for independence to its current path of development and nation-building.

Once again congratulating Viet Nam on its outstanding socio-economic achievements, the FAO Director-General stated that the country has truly taken off and will continue to achieve breakthroughs under the visionary leadership of To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders, including Tran Thanh Man.

Welcoming Viet Nam’s establishment of a new growth model that enhances economic competitiveness, with science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers while ensuring food security, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on FAO to coordinate and support Viet Nam’s efforts in implementing sustainable agricultural models.

Regarding future cooperation, he proposed that FAO accompany Viet Nam in restructuring its agricultural sector toward higher added value and green, smart development, adapting to climate change; transforming food systems; controlling diseases, especially those transmitted from animals to humans; and accelerating digital transformation in agriculture.

Appreciating Viet Nam’s efforts in streamlining its organizational apparatus and adjusting policies to ensure sustainable development and improve people’s living standards, Director-General Qu Dongyu suggested that Viet Nam continue sharing its experiences and replicating successful development models to other countries and regions.

He reaffirmed that FAO always considers Viet Nam an important partner in the region, highly values its leadership in agriculture, and welcomed initiatives such as trilateral cooperation in Africa and the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program in Viet Nam.

Both sides agreed that Viet Nam and FAO will continue to strengthen coordination and enhance the effectiveness of existing cooperation programs and projects, while expanding collaboration in sustainable agriculture, innovation, and food systems transformation, thereby contributing to food security and sustainable development in the region and globally.