Debriefing Session on the Outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2) and Consultation on National Plan of Action on Food Systems Transformation in Lao PDR

Friday, 29 September 2023, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Landmark Hotel

Sabaidee

Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your warm welcome and opening remarks.

Special thanks to Madam Sisomboune (Director General of DIC/MPI) for leading Lao Delegation comprising of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance to attend the first UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment in Rome last two months.

On behalf of the UN Country Team, particularly those UN agencies working with the Government to lead different tracks of food systems in Lao PDR (UNICEF and WFP – track 1, FAO – track 2, IFAD – track 3 and FAO and UNEP – track 4), I would like to congratulate the Government of Lao PDR for sending a strong and diverse Lao Delegation to participate in the UNFSS+2. The presence of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Finance at this important event demonstrates not only a clear strategic vision for the future of the agriculture sector but concerted actions towards transforming the food systems to enable better production, better nutrition, a better environment and better life for all the people of Lao PDR and beyond.

I echo what the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action at the UNFSS+2 for accelerated Food Systems Transformation that quotes:

“There is no shortage of ambition for food systems that combine the right to food with delivering the SDGs for everyone. 

There is tangible progress albeit much more to be done. 

Concerted and urgent action is needed to achieve the potential of food systems.”

We will shortly hear from the team who attended the UNFSS+2 on the outcomes, what line ahead of us and what is proposed in the national plan of action on food systems transformation in Lao PDR.

Taking this opportunity, I commend FAO for leading the UN system’s support for the preparation of the national plan of action that will be an important framework for our actions.

The United Nations system is pleased to be a strong supporter of the food systems transformation journey in Lao PDR and also other countries. The UN agencies bring together various stakeholders, including governments, development partners, civil society, private sector, academia, and other organizations and provide a wide range of technical expertise to support this ambitious agenda.

Particularly, to achieve food systems transformation, it is important to ensure that inclusiveness and leaving no one behind are integrated into all aspects of the transformation process. This requires engaging and empowering all stakeholders, including small-scale farmers, women, youth, indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups in the decision-making process, and ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.

Some of the ways in which the UN system has been supporting Lao PDR's food systems transformation include:

1. Provision of technical assistance for the development and implementation of policies and strategies that promote sustainable and inclusive food systems.
2. Capacity building initiatives that develop the skills and knowledge of stakeholders involved in food systems transformation, including farmers, policymakers, civil society organizations and others
3. Facilitation of knowledge sharing by disseminating information and best practices on sustainable food systems and supporting research and innovation in the field
4. Fostering partnerships between various stakeholders to promote collaboration and coordination towards achieving sustainable food systems.

I would like to reiterate the importance of aligning the implementation of national food systems transformation pathways with national commitments to international frameworks such as the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, the Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and ultimately the SDGs.

Adapting the food systems to climate change while reducing carbon emissions, tackling ecosystem service losses and the still widespread malnutrition are some priorities in building sustainable and resilient food systems in Laos to ensure that food producers, particularly smallholders who depend heavily on natural resources will have better access to information, technologies and finance to enhance their livelihoods and wellbeing.

As there are many ongoing initiatives that support the transition to sustainable development in Lao PDR, it is necessary to ensure greater coherence and collaboration, and reduce duplication and burdens on country-level engagement. 

Looking into the implementation of national action plan on food systems transformation in Lao PDR, the whole UN System will continue improving coherence, coordination and partnerships, including with financing institutions and national and multilateral development banks, to make food systems transformation a reality for all. 

Before ending my remarks, on behalf of the UN Country Team, I would like to express a sincere appreciation to H.E. Thongphath VONGMANY, Deputy Minister of MAF, for your leadership and inspiration to guide our concerted efforts toward sustainable food systems. Special thank you to Dr. Phommy Inthichack, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) who as the National Convenor for Food Systems in Lao PDR has been working closely with MPI, MOFA, MOF and other ministries to bring together the whole of Government and multi-stakeholder efforts. We will continue working with you and other partners to shepherd inclusive national processes; contribute to a Convenors’ network; optimize national ecosystems of support, leveraging International Coalitions, coordinate UN entities; and align with other actors. 

I will stop here and wish you all a productive meeting.

Thank you.