FAO supports Vietnam in building a global OCOP ecosystem

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Nam noted that after seven years of implementation, Vietnam has developed over 16,800 OCOP-certified products rated three stars or higher, with women accounting for 40% of the producers. He emphasized that OCOP has proven to be an effective tool for empowering communities, particularly in rural areas, enabling local populations to harness their potential, preserve cultural identity, and improve economic livelihoods.

Building on this success, the Deputy Minister expressed Vietnam’s desire for FAO’s support in researching and promoting the establishment of a global OCOP ecosystem—a sustainable international cooperation network to facilitate the commercialization of locally distinctive products. Such a network, he said, would strengthen ties among small-scale producers, enhance cultural and indigenous values, and promote inclusive rural development.

In response, Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol praised Vietnam’s achievements in implementing the OCOP model and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting countries in developing indigenous agricultural products. She expressed particular interest in Vietnam’s inclusive approach, highlighting how the government has empowered women and vulnerable groups in agricultural production.

Bechdol also proposed enhancing South–South cooperation through the OCOP initiative, calling it a strategic regional and global agricultural integration pathway. She fully endorsed Vietnam’s proposal to build a global OCOP network and announced that she would bring this initiative forward for further discussion at the upcoming World Food Forum in October 2025 in Rome. There, she intends to share lessons learned from Vietnam’s experience as a model for expanding international collaboration and shaping global policy on place-based, culturally rooted agricultural products.