HCMC hosts ASEM forum on food security

The event was initiated by PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng at the ASEM 7 that was held in Beijing, China on October 24-25, 2008 with a view to mobilizing ASEM resources to the global food security.

The forum drew the participation of over 60 representatives from relevant ministries, agencies and research centers of ASEM member states, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and diplomatic staff.

Việt Nam always pays attention to international cooperation in response to food security, especially when the global farm produce market is suffering from the financial crisis and economic slum, said MARD Deputy Minister Bùi Bá Bổng.

According to the Vietnamese Deputy Minister, as one of five countries badly hit by sea level rise, Việt Nam has adjusted the national policies on food security while taking into account national socio-economic development and poverty reduction for farmers. The State has also encouraged all economic sectors to work with farmers to produce more rice and eradicate hunger in remote and mountainous areas.

It was reported that at the forum, delegates centered their discussions on the impacts of the global economic crisis on food security, challenges of rising food prices, threats of new epidemics, and the shrinkage of agricultural land and water resources.

The participants also exchanged experience of responding to food crisis and agreed to strengthen coordination among ASEM member countries by accelerating technological transfer, and boosting the public-private partnership (PPP)./.

By Kim Anh