On 25 October 2025, the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Modern Agriculture Development Roundtable, held during the 32nd China Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Fair at the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training in Shaanxi, China. The Roundtable, co-organized by the SCO Secretariat and the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government, was convened under the theme “Empowering with Technological Innovation to Promote Modern Agricultural Development in the SCO Region-Agricultural Mechanization and Sustainable Development.”

CSAM presented its experiences and practices in promoting sustainable agricultural mechanization across the Asia-Pacific region through a statement that underscored the pivotal role of sustainable mechanization as a catalyst for innovation, efficiency, and resilience in modern agriculture. By enhancing productivity and precision while reducing labor intensity and environmental impact, mechanization strengthens food security, improves rural livelihoods, and promotes inclusive growth, particularly through empowering smallholder farmers, youth, and women. The ensuing discussion emphasized the importance of technological innovation, including the adoption of smart mechanization solutions such as precision farming tools, sensor-based monitoring systems, and solar-powered equipment, to accelerate the transition toward climate-smart and inclusive agricultural systems. The event concluded that achieving this transformation requires strengthened collaboration among governments, the private sector, development partners, and research institutions to foster adaptable and scalable innovation ecosystems for sustainable impact.

The SCO Modern Agriculture Development Roundtable has served as a key platform for fostering agricultural cooperation among SCO Member States since its inception in 2019. The 2025 session brought together high-level government officials, diplomats, and experts from Belarus, China, Iran, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.