Building a sustainable and environmentally friendly food system

This message is from the 2025 Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecological Forum (Agroecology TPP) in Hanoi from March 31 to April 2, 2025. The event welcomed 130 representatives, including experts, researchers, and farmers from several countries, to discuss sustainable agriculture's future.

Dr. Fergus Sinclair, Co-chair of the Agroecology TPP, emphasized that Vietnam is an ideal location to discuss the transformation of food systems in Southeast Asia. He stated: "We need systemic solutions such as agroecology to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security challenges." Since its launch in 2021, the Agroecology TPP has fostered cooperation and knowledge sharing to promote sustainable agricultural initiatives.

Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director General of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, affirmed that ASEAN faces numerous challenges related to food, including climate change and people's heavy reliance on agriculture and natural resources. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector.

"Agroecology will address these challenges. For example, it will enhance biodiversity, build sustainable ecosystems, ensure livelihoods, and contribute to transforming food systems in a transparent, responsible, and sustainable manner," Mr. Tuan stressed.

According to Mr. Tuan, applying agroecology principles and practices will significantly benefit maintaining healthy and high-yielding food systems amidst climate change. Agroecology is a crucial solution that offers many opportunities. It ensures a balance between productivity and environmental protection. It provides opportunities to integrate high technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and automation to enhance efficiency, optimize resources, and minimize negative impacts. Additionally, it focuses on safe products with clear traceability, improving competitiveness and opening access to international markets.

The Agroecology TPP brings together a broad group of scientists, practitioners, and policymakers working together to accelerate the transition to agroecology. Since its official launch on June 3, 2021, the platform has begun addressing knowledge gaps in eight key areas, supporting many organizations in making important decisions.

The online communities of the forum are open to all, offering a space for members to create knowledge, share perspectives, and exchange experiences on various agroecology topics. These networks help build partnerships with local communities and research institutions, further advancing progress in agroecology to support the transformation of food systems.