On 2 and 3 September, CSAM participated in the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) attending the First International Conference on Trade in Agricultural Services, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; and the Fourth International Forum for Development and Investment of Modern Supply Chain of Food, organized by the China National Association of Grain Sector (CNAGS), the World Food Programme (WFP) and China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE).

The First International Conference on Trade in Agricultural Services was opened by remarks from Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs H.E. Mr. Ma Youxiang, and Vice Minister of Commerce H.E. Sheng Qiuping. Experts and speakers from China and other countries presented sustainable models for the cross-border trade of agricultural services for food security and food safety.

At the International Forum for Development and Investment of Modern Supply Chain of Food, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana delivered welcome remarks highlighting the need for regional cooperation to respond to the current food price crisis, and saying that “For the global food supply chains to function and be able to safeguard international food security, it is imperative that countries in the supply chains should refrain from beggar-thy-neighbour policies, introduce trade liberalization measures to ease consumer prices, diversify sources of imports, and reduce trade costs.” The UN Resident Coordinator in China Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee also delivered welcome remarks in representation of the UN Country Team in China.

ESCAP, through its Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), partners with several forum participants in efforts for reducing food waste, and promoting knowledge exchange and capacity building for the adoption of sustainable agricultural machinery and other technologies that are crucial to ensure food productivity. Mr. Marco Silvestri, Programme Management Officer, attended the event on behalf of CSAM. ESCAP also provides policy solutions for facilitating cross-border food trade, implementing digital technology in trade, and has established regional mechanisms which leverage international cooperation to realize the potential of a modern, digital-enabled trade system in ensuring the swift movement of food and other essential goods.

Photo credit: NTV.CN