Vice Minister Zhang Taolin met with Dr. Naoko Ishii, the visiting CEO & Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and her delegation in Beijing on July 8, 2014. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the future.
Zhang spoke highly of the partnership between MOA and GEF. As one of the most important financial mechanisms to address global environmental issues, GEF has maintained pragmatic cooperation with MOA for years. The two sides have jointly implemented a series of programs on animal production, rural energy, agro-biodiversity conservation, energy conservation of township & village enterprises, and so on. Those programs have yielded tangible social, economic and environmental benefits, facilitated the growth of farmers' income and modern agricultural development, and advanced the progress of eco-friendly society and Beautiful China campaigns.
At the meeting, Zhang also briefed Dr. Naoko Ishii on the latest developments of sustainable agriculture in China. He emphasized China's policy of seeking an appropriate balance between grain production, quality and eco-security, while maintaining the sustainable use of agricultural resources. Zhang hoped that GEF could pay more attention to China's environmental programs in agricultural sectors during its Sixth Replenishment Cycle.
Dr. Naoko Ishii appreciated MOA's efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture in China, and underlined the great potentials for stepping up bilateral cooperation. She reaffirmed that GEF will support China's endeavor in agricultural development.