Tang Wenhong addresses parallel forum on global poverty reduction and agricultural transition

Tang Wenhong, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), attended and addressed the parallel forum on "Global Public Goods, Poverty Reduction and Agricultural Transition: A Critical Juncture for South-South Cooperation" on July 10.

Jointly hosted by China Agricultural University and the CIDCA, the parallel forum is an important event of the first high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, held from July 9 to 10 in Beijing. 

In his remarks, Tang said poverty reduction and food security are fundamental to a country's development and a common challenge faced by the world. China has produced approximately one-fourth of the world's food yield and has historically resolved absolute poverty, reducing impoverished population by nearly 800 million  and greatly accelerating global efforts in poverty reduction, he said. 

He noted that China upholds the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, as well as the principles of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, and actively engages in South-South cooperation in poverty reduction and food security, providing important public goods for global poverty reduction and agricultural governance.   

South-South cooperation is a great initiative for developing countries to unite for self-development, and a form of cooperation featuring equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit, unity and mutual assistance, said Tang. Noting that global poverty reduction is facing a new round of severe challenges, he called on all parties to further focus on South-South cooperation in global poverty reduction and the agricultural public goods system, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, promote capacity building, expand financing channels, establish flagship projects, improve the development framework and enhance cooperation effectiveness. 

He expressed his expectation that all parties will join hands to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, making new and greater contributions to a world free from hunger and poverty. 

Some 130 representatives attended the parallel forum, including government ministers and ambassadors to China from 23 countries, as well as experts, scholars and industry representatives. The participants held an in-depth exchange of views and reached positive consensus. A report on how China contributes to the global public goods transition was released at the forum.