Vientiane, Lao PDR – On 29 September 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), together with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and incorporation with the UN Resident Coordinator, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and other Track Action Leads of food systems transformation (World Food Programme, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, International Fund for Agricultural Development and United Nations Environment Programme), organized a national debriefing session on the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2) and the ways forwards in Lao PDR. The debriefing was held at Landmark Hotel on 29 September 2023 witnessed by representatives of the three main ministries and other relevant development partners and agencies.

The main objectives of the event were to debrief national stakeholders on the outcome of the UNFSS+2 and discuss the implementation of the UN Secretary General’s Call to Action for Accelerated Food Systems Transformation in Lao PDR; to consult on the draft National Plan of Action for Food System Transformation, and; to discuss the way forwards including implementation arrangements, financing strategy and Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Plan of Action for Food Systems Transformation. 

This debriefing is derived from the mission to UNFSS+2 in Italy between 24 and 26 July 2023, which was jointly led by Madam Sisomboun Ounavong, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of MPI and Dr. Phommy Inthichack, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation of MAF who serves as National Convenor for Food Systems in Lao PDR. The mission was to share achievements and challenges encountered in the development of the agriculture sector and the transformation of the food system in the country.

His Excellency Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Thongphath VONGMANY, appreciated the support of the UN agencies and the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, toward the Government of Lao PDR on the transformation of the food system in the country. He recognized the full support of all government agencies involved and led the Lao Delegation to Italy to highlight the achievements developed in the country and gain lessons learnt from other countries to help in the food system’s transformation, while translating the national strategic pathway into concrete and tangible actions.

 Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, UN Resident Coordinator a.i and UNICEF Country Representative, admired the strong commitment of the Government of Lao PDR witnessed through joint efforts among various key ministries, namely MAF, MPI, MOFA and Ministry of Finance (MOF). She noted that a clear strategic vision for food system transformation will ensure a more robust future and sustainability of the agriculture sector in the country for better production, better nutrition, better environment, leading to better life of all the people of Lao PDR and beyond. She also noted that to ensure the success of the transformation of the food system for Lao PDR, the inclusiveness and voice of all stakeholders, especially small-scale farmers, need to be acknowledged and integrated into the transformation itself.

The UNFSS+2 is a platform aimed to create a conducive space for countries to review progress on the commitments to action made at the first Food Systems Summit in 2021, and identify successes, enduring bottlenecks and establishing priorities. Over 3300 participants, including delegations from 182 countries, 21 world leaders and 126 ministers, 225 Non-Government Organisations and close to 900 UN system representatives, gathered to share efforts and steer global action towards sustainable food systems.