On 22nd October 2021, the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) attended the 2021 China Yangling International Agri-Science Forum via videoconference. The Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and the Shaanxi Provincial Government, was jointly organized by the Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Department of Science and Technology of Shaanxi Province, and the Administrative Committee of the Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industry Demonstration Zone of China.

Mr. Anshuman Varma, Deputy Head of CSAM, delivered the opening remarks at the Forum, highlighting the role of sustainable agricultural mechanization in addressing the challenges facing agriculture. He reiterated the importance of innovative technologies and inclusive and smallholder-friendly approaches in building capacities and resilience to realize the potential of mechanization for rural development. 

In 2020, ESCAP-CSAM had entered into a tripartite agreement with the Administrative Committee of Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industry Demonstration Zone and the World Food Programme China Office to promote collaboration. Since the establishment of the partnership, two workshops have been successfully organized focusing on the role of climate-smart mechanization in addressing food security challenges, particularly in Central Asia.