Vietnamese youth pioneer in transforming the food system

Connecting youth with global knowledge in food system transformation

On October 31, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam, in collaboration with Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF), organized the event themed "Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable Food Future."

The event took place within the framework of the World Food Day (WFD) 2025, themed "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future," and was also one of the activities marking the 80^th anniversary of FAO's founding.

This is an important forum aimed at connecting young people, experts, managers, policymakers, and international organizations to jointly build a sustainable food system, particularly in the context of increasing global challenges to food security.

The event began with a summary of key findings from FAO's report on youth engagement in global food systems, released in July this year. The report highlighted the opportunities and challenges that young people must face and affirmed that their participation is a key factor in transforming food systems.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hung Quang, Rector of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, emphasized the pioneering role of youth and students in agricultural innovation toward reducing food loss and waste and building a sustainable food system.

"The university encourages the younger generation to promote their intellect, foster a spirit of green entrepreneurship, and apply new technologies to address global challenges related to food security and climate change," shared Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hung Quang.

On the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of FAO's founding, the Rector of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry reaffirmed the university's commitment to continuing cooperation and encouraging students and young researchers to contribute their intelligence, initiatives, and practical actions toward a sustainable food future for Viet Nam and the world.

Spreading the spirit of innovation and green entrepreneurship for a sustainable Vietnam

According to Mr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Viet Nam, innovation stems from the fresh ideas of young people who dare to think differently. It comes from students in classrooms and laboratories, from entrepreneurs designing new business models, and from communities experimenting with better ways to preserve, share, and save food. A small school project can serve as the starting point for scaling up and transforming entire systems.

"Resources on Earth are not an inheritance from our ancestors but a loan from future generations. Therefore, the responsibility of today's generation is to hand over a better planet to future generations. Collaboration among youth, scientists, farmers, and policymakers is the key to building an equitable, sustainable, and more resilient food system," concluded Mr. Vinod Ahuja.

A highlight of the event was the intergenerational dialogue session, where young people and experts exchanged perspectives on challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Discussions centered on applying technology, reducing food loss and waste, and enhancing resilience capacity to climate change.

At the event, six excellent teams competed in the final round of the Student Innovation Challenge, presenting ideas to minimize food loss and waste. These creative ideas not only addressed environmental issues but also opened up prospects for new business ideas among young people. The event successfully created a collaborative space where experience met fresh ideas, paving the way for more concrete and effective actions in shaping the future of Vietnam’s food systems.

In December 2019, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, aiming to raise global awareness and promote action to significantly reduce food loss and waste throughout the supply chain.

World Food Day is celebrated annually on October 16 to raise awareness about hunger and malnutrition and to promote global cooperation for food security and healthy diets for all, while encouraging harmony between food production and the preservation of the planet's resources. The day is celebrated in more than 150 countries, including Viet Nam.