The Food Safety Working Group (FSWG) in Vietnam was created in 2015 at the request of the Deputy Prime Minister to address food safety issues in the country. It brings together government agencies, ministries, and development partners to facilitate joint policy dialogue and improve food safety. Over eight years of operations led by different organizations, the FSWG has contributed to various initiatives. However, it faces challenges of diminished government participation over time and dependence on active members. Going forward, it will strengthen its operations by integrating under Vietnam's One Health Partnership framework to better engage stakeholders and achieve policy impacts.

1. Better lives through livestock
Food safety research in low- and
middle-income countries
Hung Nguyen
ILRI Animal and Human Health program co-lead and lead of the CGIAR One Health initiative
The 1st technical meeting to launch the Food Safety Working Group under the One Health Partnership framework
Hanoi, Vietnam, 28 September 2023

2. 2
Background food safety – Vietnam
• Food safety is and remains a burning issue in Vietnam
• Food safety is of great concern to both consumers and policymakers
and frequently appears in the media
• Modern food safety law
• Research has determined a considerable PH risk for consumers
(e.g. 1-2 pork consumers out of 10 estimated to suffer from salmonellosis annually)

3. 3
FSWG Vietnam
• Initiated at the request of Deputy Prime Minister (Phu Duc Dam)
and convened under his auspices at a meeting in June 2015
Created in 2015 at
a request of the
DMP and
convened under
his auspices
Created in 2015 at
a request of the
DMP and
convened under
his auspices
Line ministries,
research
institutions,
development
banks, donors &
private sector

4. 4
FSWG Vietnam GOAL
Contribute to the
improvement of food
safety in Vietnam and
increased
competitiveness of
Vietnamese food
products for domestic
consumption and
international trade.

5. 5
FSWG Vietnam
An initiative to bring together key government agencies, line ministries and
development partners for
Aim:
• Joint policy dialogue and discussions on food safety
• Contribute to
• improvement of food safety in Vietnam
• increased competitiveness of Vietnamese food products for domestic
consumption and international trade

6. 6
FSWG Working mechanism
• 8 years of operations with turning chairs (2-4 years)
 FAO (2015-2018)
 WB (2018 - 2021
 ILRI (since June 2021)
• Membership is voluntary
• FSWG meetings are held quarterly, or more if required
• Currently approximately 60 organizations registered
 Line ministries, development bank and partners, donors, research organisations
 But also, NGO, private sector and private sector/industry associations

7. 7
FSWG technical working areas
• Scientific (e.g.)
• Evidence on risk and mitigation options
• Policy (e.g.)
• Develop recommendations to update existing regulations
• Include risk assessment into policy
• Communication (e.g.)
• Develop and maintain communication platforms
• Organise campaign/events

8. 8
Key outputs
• Report on Vietnam food safety risks management: challenges and
opportunities, 2017
• 20 meetings, since its introduction
• FSWG website, currently running as a sub-page of ILRI Viet Nam website
 Food Safety Working Group in Viet Nam (ilri.org)
• FSWG Bulletin
• FSWG members contributed to:
 Master plan framework for the One Health Partnership of Vietnam (Phase 2)
 UN Food System summit, 2021
 National Action Plan for Food System Transformation (2022-2030)
• Food safety receives stronger donor attention – new initiatives emerged

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What worked well and what are the challenges (FSWG)
• While private sector participation increased representation by government
gradually diminished over time
• Some policy impact made (WB report or Food System), but direct impact
to policies still not very visible
• Recognised platform to exchange/discuss information on FS activities
• Model has been presented at regional and international events

10. 10
What worked well and what are the challenges (cont.)
• Linkages to other (national) working groups could be further
strengthened
• Operations depends on few active members - sustainability issue
• No or limited operational funds – in kind contributions of partners
crucial
• Limited connections to similar groups in the region or ASEAN level

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One health Partnership (Vietnam)
• One Health Partnership (OHP) Framework (Phase II for 2021-2025) signed by MARD, MOH and
MONRE and 31 national and international development partners
• Long-term commitment of the Government and the partnership members to work together
towards pandemic risks, reducing AMR & improving food safety.

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Integrations of FSWG under the OHP
AIM: To strengthen operations of the FSWG, have stronger engagement with
government, and achieve more impacts
MECHANISM: Operate as a Technical Working Group on Food Safety under OHP,
following the model of WG on Pandemic Preparedness and/or AMR
TORs have been modified and agreed upon, more details will be provided

13. THANK YOU