FAO-China South-South Cooperation - to invest on promotion and protection of agricultural heritage
Rome, Italy, 28 January 2015
FAO and the People’s Republic of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the implementation of the Globally Important Agricultural Systems (GIAHS) Initiative.
The MOU, which falls under the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Framework, was signed by FAO Assistant-Director General Laurent Thomas and Mr. Wang Ying, Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, on January 28, 2015.
“This project is the first GIAHS project funded under the FAO – China South-South Cooperation Programme. Stemming from, the GIAHS supported projects intervention, designation, and consolidated 10-year positive experiences and significant impacts gained globally and locally, the GIAHS Initiative should continue to promote and sustain its goal and objectives,” said Thomas. “The GIAHS Initiative and its innovative activities are typical models that support demonstration and achievements of outputs that would contribute to the pillars of FAO’s Corporate South- South Cooperation Strategy.”
“China is one the pioneering countries who actively take part in the exploration and implementation of GIAHS initiative. We have achieved excellent results, accumulated positive experiences in protecting and developing our agricultural heritage. So far, we have 11 designated GIAHS sites” said Wang Ying. “We join FAO in its efforts to promote the development, protection and recognition of GIAHS worldwide, to benefit more countries and communities, and contribute to global food security and sustainable agriculture”.