Co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam (MoAE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Interregional High-Level Forum on the OCOP Model was to foster new avenues for South-South cooperation in sustainable agriculture.

In his opening remarks, MoAE Deputy Tran Thanh Nam emphasised the forum contributes to advancing FAO’s “Four Betters” goal, namely Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life. He said the Vietnamese vision for OCOP is to build a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive value chain which strives to raise incomes whilst improving rural livelihoods.

“OCOP is more than a brand, it’s a comprehensive model connecting the state, enterprises, cooperatives, and communities in a creative ecosystem that strengthens capacity, ensures quality control, builds branding, and expand market reach,” he said.

As of June 2025, Vietnam has certified 16,855 OCOP products rated three stars or higher, including 126 five-star products. These products meet national quality and food safety standards, boast eco-friendly packaging, and are well aligned with both domestic and international market trends.

Nam proposed the formation of shared networks for policy, technology, and market access among developing countries. He encouraged public–private–community partnership models to mobilise technical expertise, local knowledge, and financial resources for rural development.

“Together, we must enhance training for managers, cooperatives, and rural SMEs, especially women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities,” he noted.

Meanwhile, FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol commended Vietnam’s OCOP initiative as a strong model for sustainable agricultural development. She emphasised that product diversification, resilience building, and inter-country knowledge sharing are essential for Asia and Africa to move forward together.

In the Asia-Pacific region, FAO is actively supporting the promotion of OCOP products and helping bring unique agricultural goods to global markets.

Through its global initiative “One Country One Priority Product (OCOP International),” FAO is supporting the development of 56 signature agricultural products, contributing to improved livelihoods and cultural and economic preservation in rural communities.

In a video message, Qu Dongyu, director-general of the FAO, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting African nations in addressing hunger and malnutrition, while also underscoring the importance of tripartite ties in transforming Africa’s challenges into opportunities and building a green, inclusive, and sustainable food system.

OCOP fair in Bac Ninh sees high turnout from foreign enterprises

VOV.VN - An exhibition showcasing OCOP (One Commune, One Product) fine art woodwork and gemstone products from northern Vietnam has opened in Bac Ninh province, drawing participation from numerous enterprises from China, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand.