FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme 9th Annual Consultation Meeting

21/04/2021 -

Rome / Beijing, 21 April 2021 – FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People’s Republic of China reaffirmed their partnership and shared their commitment to support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the 9th Annual Consultation Meeting of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme (ACM) held virtually on 21 April 2021.

In his opening remarks, Mr XIE Jianmin, Counsel of the Department of International Cooperation of MARA, mentioned that for the future of the FAO-China SSC Programme, “partnerships with developed countries, emerging economies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, scientific research institutions, the private sector, among others, will be promoted to build innovative cooperation models by combining technical expertise, knowledge and financial cooperation”.

During the meeting, the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) in FAO presented two main documents: the 2020 progress report and the 2021 work plan of the FAO-China SSC Programme.

Mr Anping YE, Director of PST, also stated that the collaboration between FAO and MARA has deepened over recent years, particularly thanks to the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme. He emphasized that this renewed partnership “will contribute to the realization of FAO’s mission, to work towards better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life to achieve the SDGs.”

Participants noted that, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Programme enhanced its overall body of work to support FAO’s Strategic Framework and the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr Carlos Watson, FAO Representative in China, reiterated that “the FAO-China SSC Programme Phase III is a great support received from China to the developing countries with the coordination from FAO. We hope to achieve much more than we have done in the Programme’s Phase I and II. We will work innovatively, foster new partnerships, and ensure that the Programme plays a catalytic role attracting more partners and financial resources.”

Participants also recognized the Programme’s effectiveness in achieving concrete field results despite the challenges of the global pandemic, such as maintaining ten operationally active projects; enhancing programmatic effectiveness and efficiency by aligning with FAO’s Global Actions and Initiatives;  strengthening the programme’s catalytic finance role and broadening its partnership base.

The Programme has taken substantial steps to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic, including conducting virtual capacity development activities, adjusting project formulation, and implementing innovative hybrid in-person and virtual modalities.

The Programme will also support new projects, which will improve the collaboration and mutual exchange among countries of the Global South, while also promoting Triangular Cooperation with traditional donors from the North.

Mr Anping YE further thanked China‘s commitment to support Phase III of the FAO-China SSC Cooperation Programme with an additional $50 million in funding.

The overall goal of Phase III of the FAO-China SSC Programme is to support developing countries in accelerating their progress towards the achievement of the SDGs. Phase III of the FAO-China SSC Programme will cover six key thematic areas: enhancement of agricultural production, productivity, and profitability; sustainable food systems, including value chains, supply chain management, and international agricultural trade; tropical agriculture and dryland farming; building resilience to shocks and crises; emergency response; and, global governance and traditional agricultural areas.

Both parties agreed to further strengthen and improve their collaboration and coordination to respond better to the demand of developing countries through the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme.

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