The International Seminar on Biogas Technology for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development, jointly sponsored by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Ministry of Agriculture of China (MOA), was  successfully concluded. The seminar was organized by Asian and Pacific Centre for Agriculture Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM) and the Center for Energy and Environmental Protection Technology Development, MOA (CEEPTD) from 18 to 20 October, 2005 at the Beijing International Convention Center.

The participants discussed the utilization of household biogas systems and large-scale biogas systems as a means to boost rural economy, while contributing to rural poverty reduction and sustainable development and shared each country’s own experiences.  

A total number of 158 participants attended the Seminar. Among them, 50 were international participants from 19 countries, including Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Lesotho, Austria, and the United States.

A field tour to a large biogas digester system at Bei Langzhong Village in Shunyi District, Beijing and a visit to the Third China Agriculture Trade Fair were arranged.