New York (VNA) –𒁃 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stands ready to cooperate with all countries in promoting sustainable food systems, ensuring sufficient and nutritious food for everyone, eradicating poverty, and fostering rural development so that no one is left behind, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said on October 17.

Representing the group at a debate on poverty eradication, agricultural development, and food security hosted by the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)’s 77th Session in New York, the Vietnamese diplomat stated that sustainable food production and agricultural development play a crucial role in regional and global efforts to support economic recovery, promote green growth, and ensure food security. Enhancing agricultural production, improving the efficiency of food systems based on the Action Plan for Sustainable Agriculture in ASEAN, and fostering cooperation with international and regional partners in implementing the Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry in 2016-2025, are key priorities for the bloc in this area, Giang stressed. Regarding poverty reduction, ASEAN is committed to accelerating efforts to promote economic growth and poverty eradication, reduce inequality, and improve the quality of the life for people in the region, he said, noting that regional cooperation is enhanced through implementing the ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication in 2021-2025, promoting partnerships in ASEAN dialogue frameworks, and advancing the ASEAN Village Network (AVN). ASEAN continues to affirm its commitment to ensuring the participation of vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities, in the agenda for rural development and poverty eradication, Giang added. Participants voiced concerns about the ongoing issues of poverty and inequality, while food security is threatened by global challenges. They called for solutions to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to poverty eradication, urging development partners and UN agencies to enhance support in financial resources, capacity building, and sharing experiences in agricultural development, job creation, and ensuring social security for the people. According to Giang, agriculture is a key economic sector in Southeast Asia, providing employment for about 32% of the regional population, and contributing 22.6% to the regional GDP, significantly aiding the collective efforts to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development in the region./.