WORLD FOOD FORUM 2025 HAND-IN-HAND INVESTMENT FORUM Regional Hand-in-Hand Initiative for the Pacific SIDSScaling Public and Private Investments for the Transformation of Agrifood Systems in the Pacific SIDS Closing Remarks

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To show my real long-term commitment in support of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), I wanted to especially start from the Pacific.

Some friendships were formed many years ago when we held different roles.

Throughout my time as Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and as Vice-Minister of Agriculture, I always maintained a close connection to the islands.

I will now explain why I focused on this topic. In our systematic genetics study, we investigated the evolution of genetics in humans, particularly how the 2n gametes contribute to development. We explored the transition from haploid to diploid, then to tetraploid and hexaploid states over millions of years.

Then I discovered the people of the SIDS, who had immigrated from the continent several hundred or several thousand years ago. This timeframe is relatively short.

Many cousins, brothers, and sisters left the continent thousands of years ago. For many years, all their voices came from the continent, not the islands.

You are our true pioneers in establishing a presence on small islands for the future. Just as we did in China, we are paying special attention to the people living at the remote areas, not just to those who manage the country's borders.

Due to its remote location, it is essential to protect the environment, biodiversity, and the knowledge of Indigenous communities.

Whenever I visit border regions and provinces in China, I try to reach the most remote villages. This is something I have kept to myself for about 40 years.

As the Director-General of FAO, I understand that SIDS are by no means small. If we unite, we can achieve great things. On Monday, I mentioned that people in Europe often grasp why Italy is so expensive; it is like a valuable mosaic of art and culture.

When you look at a small piece of mosaic, it may seem worthless. However, when combined with others, it becomes incredibly valuable.

Yes, the SIDS may be small, but together they possess immense power and strength.

Let's work together as a group: one from the Pacific and one from the Caribbean, since these are two large regions. We will also include representatives from several African countries. This is our plan for the future. I believe addressing this issue is a fundamental step in getting to the root causes.

So, this Hand-in-Hand Initiative continues to serve as a powerful instrument. I am confident that this proposal to potential investors from the international public development banks and other donors.

We want to bring together the comparable advantages of the North to support you: the Chinese may excel in pragmatic technology and infrastructure; while Americans can assist with security issues and international advocacy.

Let us work together to support you in an inclusive and cooperative way, not against each other. We should be playing a complementary role. That is the role of FAO, our professional and technical role.

After six years, the United States continues to support FAO, which is commendable. I truly appreciate the effort and commitment.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage my friends from SIDS to build relationships with all key partners.

Working hand in hand, we are now united as partners. There are no contradictions. We need government officials, academic institutions, the private sector, civil society, and other international organizations, not just FAO.

We appreciate our joint work with the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) as it is important that we integrate animal diseases, human diseases, and all diseases under one umbrella. We appreciate WOAH for its support of agrifood systems, particularly in addressing animal transboundary diseases. Let's collaborate and move forward. That is the key message.

In conclusion, all proposals should be professionally presented, and feasibility studies should be conducted not only by the FAO, but also by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the new President of the ADB if they can allocate USD100 million across all the SIDS, which will have a considerable impact. While USD100 million may seem small for some continental countries, it can support up to 10 SIDS. This means each country would benefit from USD10 million, which is a substantial amount for them. For you, Dr Zhang, coming from Sichuan, China, I assure you that providing USD 100 million is not big number; it's just a step forward.

So please, I encourage you to change your mindset and become more efficient and impactful.

We greatly value our collaboration with the ADB in Afghanistan. Just last week, they approved USD100 million in funding for the country. Additionally, in March, the World Bank approved USD115 million. This means that Afghanistan has received a total of USD215 million in funding this year.

I am very pleased for the farmers in Afghanistan, but what about the SIDS?   It would be beneficial if you allocated an additional USD 50 million to support the South Pacific. In the grand scheme of things, USD 50 million from the ADB is a relatively small amount. It is a manageable sum and falls within the organization's mandate.

Do not forget the SIDS!

Thank you for coming and for your support, but we need your financial assistance to reach all the SIDS – leaving no one behind!

Thank you.