A statement by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva
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Ministerial Level Forum on South-South Cooperation in Agriculture
Changsha, China
2 November 2018
It is an honor for FAO to co-organize this Ministerial Forum on South-South Cooperation with the Minister of Agriculture.
2 November 2018
It is an honor for FAO to co-organize this Ministerial Forum on South-South Cooperation with the Minister of Agriculture.
We have seen an increased interest in South-South and Triangular Cooperation in the context of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
In fact, South-South Cooperation is an effective instrument for sharing knowledge and expertise; for exchanging experiences; and for engaging in policy dialogues.
It offers horizontal cooperation between countries based on the concept of solidarity that breaks the traditional dichotomy between donors and recipients countries.
Very often, developing countries face similar challenges in the areas of food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development.
In many cases, the geographic, ecologic, climatic, and socioeconomic conditions are also very similar.
Most of the successful experiences can be adapted to local conditions, replicated, and scaled up to deliver results in line with national priorities and strategies.
Since 1996, FAO has been acting as a major facilitator of South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
In fact, South-South Cooperation is an effective instrument for sharing knowledge and expertise; for exchanging experiences; and for engaging in policy dialogues.
It offers horizontal cooperation between countries based on the concept of solidarity that breaks the traditional dichotomy between donors and recipients countries.
Very often, developing countries face similar challenges in the areas of food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development.
In many cases, the geographic, ecologic, climatic, and socioeconomic conditions are also very similar.
Most of the successful experiences can be adapted to local conditions, replicated, and scaled up to deliver results in line with national priorities and strategies.
Since 1996, FAO has been acting as a major facilitator of South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
FAO has worked together with almost 90 host countries, with more than 30 providers and triangular partners, and mobilized more than USD 370 million.
FAO is now proposing to our Member Countries the creation of a new Office of South-South Cooperation in our structure at Headquarters in Rome.
By strengthening our internal capacity, we would like to create a greater space and opportunity to expand our cooperation and deepen our focus on South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
China has long been working in close partnership with FAO.
In 2006, China was the first country to establish a strategic alliance with FAO on South-South Cooperation.
Today, the China-FAO South-South Programme is one of FAO’s flagship programmes, supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development in many countries.
More than one thousand Chinese experts have been supporting thirty-seven countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
We very much welcome China’s efforts in establishing the third phase of the FAO-China South-South Trust Fund in order to upscale the Programme.
This forum today serves as an excellent platform to exchange views and share experiences on how to better promote South-South Cooperation, learn new modalities, and discuss innovative approaches.
I have no doubt that the outcome of this forum will make a substantial contribution to the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation that will take place in Buenos Aires, in March 2019.
I wish you a successful event and fruitful deliberations. Thank you for your attention.
FAO is now proposing to our Member Countries the creation of a new Office of South-South Cooperation in our structure at Headquarters in Rome.
By strengthening our internal capacity, we would like to create a greater space and opportunity to expand our cooperation and deepen our focus on South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
China has long been working in close partnership with FAO.
In 2006, China was the first country to establish a strategic alliance with FAO on South-South Cooperation.
Today, the China-FAO South-South Programme is one of FAO’s flagship programmes, supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development in many countries.
More than one thousand Chinese experts have been supporting thirty-seven countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
We very much welcome China’s efforts in establishing the third phase of the FAO-China South-South Trust Fund in order to upscale the Programme.
This forum today serves as an excellent platform to exchange views and share experiences on how to better promote South-South Cooperation, learn new modalities, and discuss innovative approaches.
I have no doubt that the outcome of this forum will make a substantial contribution to the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation that will take place in Buenos Aires, in March 2019.
I wish you a successful event and fruitful deliberations. Thank you for your attention.
