By merging cutting-edge and forward-looking technologies with traditional agricultural methods we can enhance cooperation and strengthen global food security for all, especially for rural households and women farmers.
This Forum provides an important opportunity to understand the state of the art on hybrid rice, and to see how we can work better together towards reaching the SDGs, especially SDG2 Zero Hunger.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural affairs of the People's Republic of China for their kind assistance in finding specialists in the cultivation of hybrid rice in Uzbekistan by the technologies of the "father of hybrid rice" Yuan Longping.
Indeed, by sharing crop cultivation techniques with African countries, China has been empowering the local communities allowing them to improve their productivity, secure the food self-reliance and fighting poverty.
A hybrid rice cooperation offers great potential in the production of rice against the threats of climate change and the many other crises of today. Let me reiterate that Kiribati values its partnership with the People's Republic of China and in this spirit, we welcome future cooperation on this front to further boost this much-needed rice production.
It is also important to note that China through its decade-long dedication, has been sharing technology on hybrid rice with developing countries, a gesture of world commendation. As a matter of fact, China's hybrid rice assistance has become a symbol of China's foreign aid, featured as a sincere result-oriented affinity and good faith relationship.
Cuba appreciates China's delivery of machinery and agricultural materials that helped enhance our production systems. We are also thankful for the academic exchanges and trainings for growing hybrid rice on saline soils, which is crucial for Cuba to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
I take this opportunity to congratulate China, on this great achievement in food production, its leadership and assistance to Asia, Africa, & Latin America and towards prosperity of All Nations.