Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS)is designated as a Reference Center for Tropical Agriculture Research and Training by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)upon the Agreement signed on May 5th, 2014.
Based on the Agreement, the newly-designated FAO reference center shall provide technical support and training in tropical agricultural sciences for FAO member countries, particularly for developing countries, and offer consulting services for policy-making, while FAO will give financial support to the Reference Center through joint activities.
It is believed that the designation will not only enhance CATAS's growing international influence, but also engage CATAS more actively in international cooperation in tropical agricultural sciences.
A FAO reference center is authorized by FAO Director-General upon competitive selection and evaluation, and its designation is valid for four years.If the Center passed the FAO mid-term and final evaluation, the agreement might be renewed for another four years.