Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) join forces to launch the “National Action Plan on zero hunger in Vietnam by 2025” at the International Support Group (ISG) Plenary Meeting 2018 with the theme “Sustainable Agriculture – Nutrition Development: Action for Zero Hunger in Vietnam by 2025”. The “Zero Hunger” initiative was originally launched by the United Nations Secretary and was established as the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2) on ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. Regarding the zero Hunger initiative, Vietnam is one of the countries with remarkable achievements in reducing the number of hungry and poor people. However, some gaps such as child malnutrition rate remains high, based on the WHO classification. Particularly, stunting–form malnutrition rate is high especially in provinces mainly in the Central Highlands, North Central Region and Northern mountainous region. Therefore, through the National Action Plan, Vietnam aims to decrease the existing gaps and improve the food security and nutrition aspect of the country. Co-chaired by Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Minister of MARD, and Dr. Albert T. Lieberg, FAO Vietnam Representative, the ISG Plenary Meeting 2018 celebrated the declaration of the National Action Plan on Zero Hunger in Vietnam by 2025 and call for the cooperation and support from international partners and related ministries/agencies. About 200 participants from the ministries, government bodies, international community, NGOs, research institutes, enterprises, media, and corporations joined to celebrate a milestone moment for Vietnam’s Zero Hunger commitment. The National Action Plan (NAP) aims to provide enough food and nutrition for people in order to enhance Vietnamese people’s health, intelligence and stature; and, at the same time, implement SDG 2 to which the government has committed with the UN. (Baodansinh.vn Dec 6)
