CIDCA vice-chairman attends 2026 World Food Forum

On Oct 13, Zhao Fengtao, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, attended the 2026 World Food Forum held in Rome and delivered remarks at the panel on the theme "How Innovative Finance Can Drive Agrifood Systems Transformation" at the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum.

Zhao stated that food security bears on the shared future of all humanity. He highlighted that the Global Development Initiative (GDI) makes food security a priority area for cooperation, injecting strong impetus into advancing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Zhao stressed that over the past five years, China has steadfastly implemented the GDI and actively carried out South-South and triangular cooperation in agriculture. He emphasized that by offering food assistance, China has helped other developing countries enhance their capacity for independent development, streamlined agricultural trade channels, and expanded international cooperation on innovation in agricultural science and technology, thus contributing to boosting agricultural development in the Global South and delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Zhao noted that China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold a people-centered development philosophy, bolster policy support, continuously advance technology-enabled development, deepen financial partnerships, and mobilize diverse stakeholders to participate in developing agriculture and food systems. He added that in this way, agricultural development cooperation will be advanced and global food security will be safeguarded.

Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the 2026 World Food Forum is themed "Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow." Leaders from more than ten countries addressed the forum in person or virtually. Senior government representatives, heads of international organizations, youth leaders, researchers and investment practitioners from 154 countries attended the event.