From 4–6 September 2026, the Third Small-Scale Fisheries Summit 2026 (SSF Summit 2026) was held at the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy.

The Summit was organized by FAO in collaboration with international organizations and networks on small-scale fisheries. It aimed to review the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and identify and collaborative actions for the coming period.

Photo: Overview of the SSF Summit 2026 in Rome

The Summit brought together 150 international delegates, including representatives of small-scale fishers and fishery workers, indigenous communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, development partners, research institutes, universities, and experts.

The Vietnamese delegation included Ms. Than Thi Hien – Vice Director of MCD and Mr. Tran Van Luan – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Syndicate for Workers in Fisheries (VSWF).

Photo: The Vietnamese delegation attending the SSF Summit 2026

The discussion sessions focused on translating the principles of the SSF Guidelines into concrete actions at the national, regional, and global levels, linked to the development and implementation of National Plans of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF).

Key cross-cutting issues included ensuring access to resources and livelihood spaces; sustainable resource management and co-management; improving working conditions and social protection; gender equality; strengthening the role of youth; climate change adaptation; access to markets, finance, and technology; and ensuring participation in the policymaking process.

Photo: Discussion sessions and side events at the SSF Summit 2026

At the high-level ministerial session on 6 September 2026, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasized that small-scale fisheries play an essential role in food security, livelihoods, poverty eradication, and sustainable development worldwide. He reaffirmed that the SSF Guidelines, adopted in 2014, remain an important tool for promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries.

Effective implementation of the Guidelines requires combining sustainable resource management with social development to build a fisheries sector that is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

The content and outcomes of the Summit were further discussed at COFI37, where FAO dedicated a session to sharing the Summit’s outcomes and discussing the role of the SSF-GSF in advancing the implementation of the Guidelines.

Photo: FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu speaking at the SSF Summit 2026

During a side meeting held in conjunction with the Summit, MCD shared its experience in co-management for the protection of aquatic resources, using the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) assessment tool to understand communities’ readiness, needs, capacities, and proposed solutions. A case study from Tam Xuan Commune, Da Nag was presented to illustrate the application of the tool

The assessment results supported the development of a capacity-building plan for small-scale fisheries, contributing to the implementation of co-management for aquatic resource protection and sustainable livelihood development with community participation.

MCD’s KAP tool practices and case study will be referenced and incorporated into practical guidance on co-management in small-scale fisheries being developed by FAO, which is expected to be completed in 2027.

The SSF Summit 2026 reaffirmed that small-scale fishers should be placed at the center of fisheries governance and development. It also provided an opportunity for MCD to share its experience and strengthen connection with national and international partners supporting cooperation on the implementation of the SSF Guidelines, while exploring and applying lessons on co-management, strengthening community participation, and climate change adaptation in ways appropriate to Vietnam. These efforts contribute to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and the improvement of livelihoods for coastal communities.

For more detailed information, please refer to: 

https://www.fao.org/voluntary…/home/ssf-summit/2026/en

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