Partnerships and innovation drive Viet Nam’s food systems toward climate goals

From July 4-6, 2024, over 50 key stakeholders gathered in Vinh City, Viet Nam, for a two-day technical workshop to align Viet Nam's food systems with its climate goals. The event was co-organized by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the International Cooperation Department (ICD)under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with support from the CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation (SHiFT).

Adopted at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), the Paris Agreement requires countries to respond to climate change by establishing an action plan, or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In 2022, Viet Nam updated its NDC, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15.8% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. GHG emissions from food systems are a major contributor to climate change. By transforming its food systems, Viet Nam has the potential to meet these goals while improving nutrition and food security.

A central focus of the workshop was the introduction of the Food Forward NDC Tool, designed to support the integration of agriculture and food systems into NDC planning and implementation. Participants from government agencies, research institutions, civil society, and the private sector discussed how the tool can be used to identify gaps and track progress toward sustainability goals.

Strong partnerships are essential for achieving NDCs. During the workshop, Tuyen Huynh, SHiFT Country Coordinator for Viet Nam, presented the Initiative's efforts to support the National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation (FST-NAP). Huynh highlighted SHiFT's collaboration with Strategic Partnersincluding the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

Breakout groups delved into critical areas such as promoting healthy diets, understanding and influencing consumer behavior, and increasing investment in sustainable agricultural practices. Participants expressed a strong commitment to work together to transform Viet Nam's food systems to be more resilient, equitable, and sustainable.

As SHiFT continues to work closely with Strategic Partners in Viet Nam, insights from the workshop will be instrumental in guiding sustainable approaches to food systems transformation. In late 2024, SHiFT will consult with experts to generate targeted policy recommendationsfor transforming Vietnamese food systems toward healthier diets.

The International Food Policy Research Instituteand the Alliance of Bioversity and CIATlead SHiFT in close collaboration with Wageningen University and Researchand with contributions from the International Potato Center. SHiFT combines high-quality nutritional and social science research capacity with development partnerships to generate innovative, robust solutions that contribute to healthier, more sustainable dietary choices and consumption of sustainable healthy diets. It builds on CGIAR's unparalleled track record of agricultural research for development, including ten years of work on food systems and nutrition under the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).

Header image: Participants in the workshop on Promoting Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems towards Enhancing Viet Nam's Nationally Determined Contribution pose for a group photograph in Vinh City, Viet Nam. Photo provided by Thanh Duong/Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.