Green transformation in the context of global change: Pathways for sustainable food systems in Viet Nam 

On October 24, 2024, academics from agricultural science, nutrition, environmental policy, and sustainable development convened in Hanoi for the 1st International Conference on Green Transformation. Organized by the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts at Viet Nam National University (VNU) in collaboration with global stakeholders, the event served as a platform for exchanging innovative practices, effective policies, and advancing research that underpins a resilient agricultural framework.  

Upon invitation by national partners from Viet Nam, several researchers from the CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation (SHiFT) participated in the conference. The program provided opportunities to highlight the essential role of interdisciplinary partnerships and sustainable practices in advancing Viet Nam’s environmental and food systems objectives. SHiFT and its Strategic Partners in Viet Nam shared insights from their recent collaborative efforts.  

Keynote lectures featured distinguished scholars, including Prof. Mai Trong Nhuan of VNU and Prof. Inge Brouwer, SHiFT Lead from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR). Both speakers emphasized the urgent need for transformative approaches in agriculture and nutrition to tackle environmental challenges and social inequities.  

During a plenary session, Dr. Marcos Dominguez Viera, SHiFT researcher at WUR, shed light on the intricate trade-offs involved in transforming Viet Nam’s food systems, particularly concerning dietary impacts and greenhouse gas emissions from rice production.  

The conference program included eight sessions, covering topics such as renewable energy integration, low-carbon agricultural practices, waste management, and sustainable food systems. These discussions underscored the role of digital technologies, circular economy concepts, and critical policy reforms in driving Viet Nam’s green transition. This transformative process requires coordinated efforts across sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and agricultural exports, presenting both challenges and opportunities for sustainable economic development. 

Spotlight on agroecology and sustainable food systems 

Session 7, titled, “Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems,” explored pathways for advancing food systems transformation in Viet Nam and across Asia. Facilitated by SHiFT researchers, the session focused on agroecological practices, sustainable food systems, and policy innovation. Prof. Dao The Anh from the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) opened the session by emphasizing agroecology’s role in enhancing food security and sustainability, while Prof. Brouwer highlighted the importance of shifting diets to align with environmental goals.  

Sub-session 7.2.1 focused on the influence of diet quality on sustainable food systems, exploring topics such as the environmental sustainability of future diet trends in Viet Nam, adolescent diets, and the role of urban food environments in shaping consumer behavior. Mr. Nguyen Minh Quoc, SHiFT researcher from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, presented findings from an analysis of Vietnamese agri-food certification initiatives, demonstrating how targeted certification could promote sustainable practices. The sub-session also featured presentations from students supported by SHiFT’s MSc grant scheme, which is part of the Initiative’s capacity sharing agenda. 

Session 7 showcased the interdisciplinary efforts by SHiFT, VAAS, the Alliance, and other partners, emphasizing the importance of agroecology and sustainable healthy diets in Viet Nam’s green transformation. This collaborative approach promotes the use of a food systems framework to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, while enhancing knowledge networks among scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The research findings and policy recommendations discussed during the conference will contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for Viet Nam’s agri-food systems. 

Header image: Group photo during Green Transformation Conference / VNU.

Authored by Thanh Thi Duong and Linh Nguyen, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. 

The International Food Policy Research Institute and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT lead SHiFT in close collaboration with Wageningen University and Research and 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.