On July 15, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), hosted a high-level interregional forum on the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) model. The forum aimed to advance FAO's global OCOP initiative aligned with the organization's "Four Betters" goals: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.
The event marked the realization of an initiative proposed by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu during his visit to Vietnam in February 2025. It connects global and regional efforts to enhance the implementation of Vietnam's OCOP program and foster international cooperation in sustainable agriculture development grounded in local identity and community values.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that after more than seven years of implementation, the OCOP program has become a key driver in unlocking the potential of local signature products, improving rural incomes, quality of life, and strengthening the global presence of Vietnamese brands. OCOP is a branding initiative and a multi-stakeholder cooperation model involving government agencies, businesses, cooperatives, and communities along sustainable value chains.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam delivers opening remarks at the forum.Deputy Minister Nam called on Global South countries to collaborate in establishing networks for policy, technology, and market information sharing to sustainably develop OCOP products. He also urged increased training and capacity-building for managers, cooperatives, and small enterprises—particularly those involving women, ethnic minorities, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. He proposed piloting public–private–community partnerships (PPCP) to mobilize financial, technical, and indigenous knowledge resources for rural development and product value enhancement.
FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol commended Vietnam's proactive role in sustainable agricultural transformation and described the event as a milestone for South–South cooperation, especially between Vietnam and African nations. She underscored the importance of knowledge-sharing and joint innovation in tackling common agricultural development challenges across Asia and Africa.
The forum is a strategic step in scaling up OCOP globally, promoting locally rooted, community-driven products that contribute to inclusive rural development and environmental sustainability.