43rd World Food Day observed in Vietnam

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Vietnam on October 16 joined hands to mark the 43rd World Food Day (WFD), the 78th anniversary of the FAO and the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-FAO cooperation.

  • World Food Day, FAO’s 40-year presence in Vietnam celebrated
43rd World Food Day observed in Vietnam -0
The theme of this year’s World Food Day is ‘Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind’, with the goal of raising global awareness on the importance of managing water wisely. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Vietnam on October 16 joined hands to mark the 43rd World Food Day (WFD), the 78th anniversary of the FAO and the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-FAO cooperation.

The theme of this year’s World Food Day is ‘Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind’, with the goal of raising global awareness on the importance of managing water wisely. This initiative is critical as the availability of this precious resource is threatened by rapid population growth, urbanisation, economic development, and the impacts of the climate change.

Nguyen Hoang Hiep, MARD Deputy Minister, said that water is a driving force for people, economies and nature and the foundation of food. Indeed, agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, but like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite. Therefore, partnerships are crucial to achieving sustainable water management and advancing progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to him, Vietnam is an agricultural country with tens of millions of people relying on freshwater sources for their livelihoods. In the country, along with a quite complete legal system, water infrastructure systems are rather synchronously built and developed for management, exploitation and use of water resources for socio-economic development and prevention and control of floods, inundation and other water-related harmful effects.

Vietnam is facing many different forms of water scarcity – too little, too much, poor quality and overuse. In response to these challenges, the Politburo issued Conclusion No.36-KL/TW dated June 2022 on ensuring water security and safety of dams and reservoirs by 2030, with a vision to 2045, shared Hiep.

Sustainable integrated water resources management is a key point in Vietnam, leveraging water-related initiatives to support agrifood systems transformation and achievement of the SDGs.

FAO is working with Vienam and other countries on implementing key points of the UN’s Water Action Agenda relating to National Water Roadmaps, water tenures, drought risk management, water data, and evaporation monitoring. This agenda is part of the 2023 UN Water Conference, which FAO plays a central role in.

“All of us need to value water, the food it produces, and the planet it nourishes”, said Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative in Vietnam.

Achievement of agriculture-related SDGs is also one of the key features of FAO’s work in Vietnam that builds on the solid foundations set during the 45 years of FAO engagement in the country. Having entered the country since 1978, FAO is a key partner and main contributor of technical assistance in agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors in the country.

VNA

Other News

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.