The 32nd FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) was convened in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia from March 13-14, 2014. Mongolian Prime Minister Norov Altanhuyag and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
According to the agenda of the Conference, delegates held in-depth discussions on the state of food and agriculture in the region, restoration of grasslands and forests for climate change mitigation and adaptation, meeting farmers' aspirations in the context of green development, food security for Pacific island countries, and so on, and endorsed the Ulaanbaatar Communiqué with an aim to promote regional agricultural cooperation.
Chief Agronomist of MOA Sun Zhonghua led the Chinese delegation to the Conference, and made a presentation on the major policies and achievements in China's agricultural development.
In his speech, Sun put forward a four-point proposal to enhance food security for Asia and the Pacific region: first, to expand agricultural investment and increase grain productivity; second, to accelerate S&T progress and strengthen agricultural sustainability; third, to facilitate international cooperation and promote regional food security; and fourth, to oppose trade protectionism and create a sound market environment.
Sun stated that China is looking forward to making joint efforts in guaranteeing regional food security with all Asia-Pacific countries. Such remarks were warmly welcomed by Conference delegates.
At intervals of the Conference, Sun exchanged views with FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva on reinforcing existing China-FAO cooperation, and discussed wide-ranged issues with Mongolian Minister of Industry and Agriculture Khaltmaa Battulga. After the meetings, the three parties signed the Agreement on FAO-China-Mongolia Tripartite South-South Cooperation Program (Phase II).
In addition, Sun also paid a field visit to the phase I Tripartite SSC Project, in the company of Vice Minister of Industry and Agriculture of Mongolia.