Dr. Nguyen Bao Thoa, director of the Project “Promotion of supply and demand of Eco-Fair agri-food processing products in Vietnam” (Eco Fair project) (led by VIRI), will be speaker at the EU side event COP27 in Nov. 09, 2022 in Egypt: Recipes for change: how a sustainable food system can curb carbon emissions The event will show-case the role of circular economy approaches in curbing emissions along the food value-chain providing successful examples funded by the EU through its SWITCH regional programmes in Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean. Lastly, it will provide visibility to the implementation of the external dimension of the EU “From Farm to Fork Strategy” and the “EU Circular Economy Action Plan”. The event specific objectives are to highlight circular economy and other policy approaches that accelerate the transition of the agri-food value-chain to a low-carbon industry in partner countries; showcase examples of low-carbon agri-food enterprises (notably MSMEs) supported by the EU SWITCH regional programmes; and engage youth and the general public by promoting low-carbon nutrition and lifestyles. The Eco-Fair project is very active on these objectives and will share Vietnam experience on eco-fair promotion, which is expected to be a valuable contribution to this panel

On July 20, 2022, Vietnam Rural Industry Research and Development Institute (VIRI) will organize the workshop and survey program to evaluate products of the project in order to complete the Provincial scientific research “Understanding typical culinary and cultural values in the development of tourism in Gia Lai province”. On the morning of July 20, 2022, a survey of fruit model (Pleiku) and traditional cuisine will be held at Mo Hra village, Kong Long Khong commune, Kbang district. In the afternoon of the same day, a workshop on “Evaluating 03 models: Food Night Market, Culinary Experience associated with Community Tourism, (Fruits) Beverage Experience ” will be held at Pleiku and Em Hotel ( address: 86 Nguyen. Van Troi, Pleiku city, Gia Lai province)

With the purpose of engaging, connecting trade; creating business opportunities and promoting trade between Vietnamese and European businesses, the Project “Promotion of supply and demand of eco-fair agri-food processing products in Vietnam (Eco-Fair project) will allocate staff to introduce products and promote trade for businesses participating in fairs in Europe. The list of 03 Fairs as follows: 1. Vietnam – EU Trade Promotion Exhibition “ECO-GREEN VIETNAM EXPO 2022” form May 26th to May 29th, 2022 in Bulgaria, and from May 31st to June 3rd, 2022 in Greece. 2. Organic fair “BIOFACH INTO ORGANIC” from July 26th to July 29th, 2022 in Nurnberg, Germany 3. International Food Industry Fair “SIAL PARIS” held from 15-19 October 2022 in Paris, France. The project invites businesses to register to participate under the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/duanEcoFair. For more information, please contact Eco-Fair project staff: Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Lan – Email: lan@viri.org.vn – Mobile: 0979 392171

From April 5 to 7, 2022, the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam will visit 04 agricultural enterprises and cooperatives in Dak Nong province. The purpose of this field trip is to visit and get updated of supporting activities under the project “Promotion of supply and demand of Eco-Fair agri-food processing products in Vietnam” (Eco-Fair project) for 04 units and their performance outcomes after supported by the project. These 04 enterprises and cooperatives include Nong Phu Cooperative – Cu Jut district; Sangs Farm Service Agricultural Cooperative – Dak Glong District; Quang Phu Organic Agricultural Cooperative – Krong No District, TOTA Science and Technology Company Limited – Cu Ju District. The participants not only include the EU Delegation to Vietnam but also, representatives of the Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute (VIRI) as the project implementation leader, representatives of the Center for Creativity and Sustainability Study and Consultancy (CCS) – the project implementation partner, representatives of Dak Nong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Before visiting these cooperatives and businesses, the Delegation will have a meeting with Dak Nong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on April 6, 2022.

Within the framework of, the project “Promotion of supply and demand of Eco-Fair Agri-food processing products in Vietnam ” (Eco Fair Project) in collaboration with partners to organize the Online workshop: “PROMOTION OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF AGRI-FOOD ECO-FAIR PRODUCTS IN VIETNAM”. The workshop with the following time and format: Time: 14h00 – 16h30, Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. Format: Online through Zoom link. Participants: The units participating in the workshop are agencies, policy makers, businesses, associations, organizations, certification bodies, consumers… The project is funded by the European Union, Led by: Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute(VIRI) with the Co-partners: Centre For Creativity and Sustainability (CCS); Funzilife Oy Ltd (FUNZI); Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre Co. Ltd (VNCPC)

Dr. Nguyen Bao Thoa, director of Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute will join a panelist in the panel discussion hosted by the International Trade Center on ‘Climate Resilience in Agricultural Value Chains – Strengthening the Competitiveness of SMEs’ at the International Chambers of Commerce’s Make Climate Action Everyone’s Business Conference in the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) on November 04th, 2021 at 14.00 CET. (20.00 Vietnam time). Given the links between the agri-food sector, climate resilience and the wellbeing of local communities, this event will focus on how stakeholders can enable MSMEs to become climate resilient and go green to compete in the international market. The panel discussion will highlight the actions local business leaders are taking to strengthen the resilience of their communities to withstand future shocks and will raise the awareness of multinational businesses and governments from this critical constituency that will help to make supply chains more inclusive and sustainable. Participants: – Keynote Remarks: Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre – Moderator: Ms. Marcela Navarro, CEO and Co-Founder, Project X. – Panelist: Mr. James Lloyd-Jones, United Kingdom, CEO, Jones Food Company Ltd. – Panelist: Ms. Sofia Rubio, Peru, Founder of Shiwi. – Panelist: Dr. Thoa Nguyen Bao, Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute, director, Viet Nam – Panellist Ms. Ruth Thomas, Director of Global Agribusiness, WBCSD, Switzerland. (https://2go.iccwbo.org/icc-make-climate-action-everyone-s-business-forum.html)

VIRI, VICOFA and VINAFRUIT will organize a webinar to announce two Codes of Conduct on environmentally responsible business practices for the coffee sector and fruit & vegetable sectors with specific details as follows: Time: 14h00 – 16h30, Wednesday, October 27th, 2021. Format: Online via Zoom platform. Participants: Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, businesses, experts, international certification organizations… in the coffee sector and fruit & vegetable sector The conference will be broadcasted live on the fanpage of UNDP Vietnam If you are interested, please register at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9NYPWN6 This activity is within the framework of the project: “Advancing environmentally responsible business for the coffee sector and fruit & vegetable sector in Vietnam” funded and technically supported by the United Nations Development Program in Vietnam (UNDP Viet Nam) and the Government of Sweden

On September 21, 2021, Dr. Nguyen Bao Thoa, Eco-Fair project director chaired by VIRI will participate as a speaker for Webinar on Consumer demand for Sustainable products in Asia: Successes and challenges. The webinar organizers are the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Evidensia. Asia is home to the majority of the world’s population and consumption patterns on the continent have significant implications at a global scale. This webinar will present research on consumption trends of certified and sustainable products in Asia, focusing on cotton, palm oil, tea, and coffee. Various actors (buyers, VSSs, producers) will then share successes, challenges, and potential ways to increase sustainable consumption in Asia. This is a good opportunity to share and introduce the Eco-Fair project “Promotion of supply and demand of Eco-Fair Agri-food processing products in Vietnam” sponsored by EU under the SWITCH Asia programme with a focus on consumer demand for sustainable products in Asia.

The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) together with the International Trade Center (ITC) will organize a seminar “Resource Efficiency and Circular Production – RECP”. The workshop will have the attendance of the European clients who are interested in the resource efficiency in the agriculture and interior decoration sectors. At the seminar, VIRI will have an introduction about the Eco-fair project as well as the collaborative activities on the component of “Resource Efficiency and Circular Production – RECP” and customer connection. The workshop will be from 14.00 – 16.00 on March 30 by online form. Please kindly register through the link: http://event.vietrade.gov.vn/recp