Ambassador Dương Hải Hưng, permanent representative of Việt Nam to the World Food Programme (WFP), presents his credentials to Executive Director of the WFP David Beasley in Rome. — VNA/VNS Photo Trường Duy

ROME — Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) David Beasley has praised Việt Nam’s reform achievements, especially in reducing poverty and ensuring food security.

Việt Nam has transformed from an aid recipient to a major exporter of rice and other agricultural products, Beasley told Ambassador Dương Hải Hưng, permanent representative of Việt Nam to the WFP, who came to present his credentials in Rome on Wednesday (local time).

The WFP leader suggested Việt Nam shares its experience and provide technical assistance for underdeveloped countries, as the world is facing huge food security challenges as a result of wars and climate change.

Hưng praised the WFP’s role in the fight against poverty and coping with other emergencies, as well as its long-term support for agricultural building and development in poor nations, contributing to ensuring sustainable food security worldwide.

The ambassador thanked the WFP for its assistance to Việt Nam in handling the serious food shortage in the Southeast Asian country in the 1980s, helping it emerge as a leading rice producer and exporter globally.

He called for WFP support in improving Việt Nam’s national capacity for guaranteeing food security and developing livelihood of rural residents, especially in extreme weather and climate change response.

Hưng reiterated Việt Nam’s commitment to closely cooperating with the programme and other UN agencies in fulfilling the 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in poverty reduction.

The two sides should continue their discussions on cooperation potential in contributing to emergency relief, the sharing of experience and knowledge, and technical assistance to underdeveloped countries, he suggested. — VNS