Press and News Alliance Researcher and A4NH Coordinator in Vietnam receives Medal of Merit from Government of Vietnam

Congratulations to Tuyen Huynh, a senior researcher at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition (A4NH), who was awarded the Medal of Contribution to Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam by the Ministry for Agriculture and Development (MARD). This recognition is one of the highest honors given by the government to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of agriculture and rural development in the country.

In celebration of World Food Day in Vietnam, the MARD, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Vietnam, sought to recognize individuals and organizations who played a significant role in the UN Food System Summit Process in the country.

This recognition comes after Huynh helped consolidate actions and ideas for the successful series of national and sub-national dialogues, including a CGIAR independent dialogue in June and July 2021. Through these dialogues, the government of Vietnam can find opportunities that allow them to forge transparent, responsible, and sustainable food systems.

“This award is a direct result of the work of the CGIAR in Vietnam and is a recognition that our work is aligning with the priorities not just in agriculture, but also in nutrition and health,” Huynh said. “We have been playing a role in connecting people, research, and policy together that to attract the attention of multiple stakeholders and highlight common benefits for all.”

The collaborative work of Huynh, the Alliance and the CGIAR helped implement and review food systems policies and develop frameworks in transforming food systems in Vietnam. The Alliance-led food system profiles released this year are one of the main sources used to contextualize current issues for diets and nutrition in the country. The profiles have been shared to support local socio-economic development planning.

Before the preparations for the UN Food System Summit, Huynh was invited to the appraisal group to develop training materials for the Zero Hunger National Action Program for 2020-2025. The Zero Hunger Program aims not just to minimize hunger but improve overall nutrition in time for the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

The work on Zero Hunger led to the development of frameworks that can be applied locally using assessment indicators developed by the bigger A4NH research community. This work outlines how to conduct research-sensitive work from the provincial to the national level.

Besides the growing portfolio of work in providing baselines and technical input on policy development, the work on food systems coordinated in Vietnam also includes providing support to small and medium enterprises to improve business practices and the need to make diets and healthier lifestyles accessible.

With more concrete actions post-UN Food System Summit, the government of Vietnam can draft food system pathways based on outcomes and discussions made during the dialogues, including the CGIAR independent dialogue.

Huynh emphasized the great need to integrate visions that involve stakeholders and sectors at different levels. She says that the Food System Summit is not the end of the conversation but should signify the strong calls of the government in inviting collaborations for innovations. In mapping out the sectors and stakeholders involved, there is a better understanding of individual outputs that can contribute to collective positive outcomes.