UN official commends Chinese university for role in South-South Cooperation in Agriculture

Director of UN Office for South-South Cooperation Jorge Chediek on Friday commended the leadership of China Agriculture University in launching two major platforms for exchanges in agriculture and rural development.

At Global Thinkers Dialogue: China's South-South Cooperation in Agriculture, Chediek said the establishment of China Belt and Road Institute for Agricultural Cooperation and China Institute for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture will contribute to agricultural and rural development research and knowledge sharing as well as promote agriculture cooperation and innovations worldwide.

Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40 percent of global population, he said. "It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households."

"One key way we can enhance agricultural and rural development is through South-South sharing of experiences," he added. "This can be attained through adopting, adapting and broadening best practices that promote agricultural development which has been increasing between developing countries."

He praised China as the leading agricultural producer among the developing countries, saying it has made great strides in decreasing hunger and has used its own experience to support other countries in doing the same.

He expressed hope that the dialogue will provide the opportunity to learn from China's expertise and good practices, as well as its lessons learned, in areas such as providing education and agricultural training, enhancing scientific research, and building and strengthening value chains and e-commerce platforms.

Sun Qixin, president of China Agricultural University, for his turn, said South-South Cooperation has become an "undeniable" force pushing forward global growth.

He presented "An Evaluation Framework for the South-South Cooperation and Its Application in China-Tanzania Cooperation" at the meeting, saying this report aims to shed light on tools and methods in such cooperation.

He also pledged, on behalf of China Agricultural University, to further promote South-South Cooperation in Agriculture and rural development.

Adonia Ayebare, ambassador of Uganda to the UN and president of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, noted at the meeting that Africa is a net food importer and that the region needs to overcome the daunting challenge of feeding 1.5 billion people by 2030 and approximately 2 billion by 2050.

"There is thus an enormous need and opportunity for Africa to develop its agricultural sector," he said, underscoring the benefits of South-South cooperation for further development of the African agricultural sector.