G20 china_web

Spotlight on China
We will work together
with other G20 members
to advance international
agricultural exchange
and cooperation
The initiation and successful convening of the
G20 agriculture ministers meeting during China’s
presidency has demonstrated China’s commitment to
agriculture, as well as the significant position and role
of this sector in the G20.
With 59 per cent of the world’s farmland, the
G20 members produce 85 per cent of the world’s
grains, 81 per cent of its meat and 75 per cent of its
dairy products. Their agricultural import and export
volume accounts for 78 per cent and 81 per cent of the
world’s total. They thus play a significant role in global
agricultural development.
South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation
should focus on developing countries and give priority
to sustainable agriculture.
On sustainable agricultural development,
the meeting supported the implementation of the
2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are
related to agriculture, and encouraged the parties
to carry out the exchange of experience, knowledge
sharing and technology application, and to promote
good practices including Globally Important
Agricultural Heritage Systems.
On agricultural innovation, the parties committed
to creating an enabling environment for agricultural
technology innovation, raising the level of agricultural
intensification and degree of organisation through
institutional innovation, supporting the G20 Meeting
of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) to advance the
establishment of a global agricultural research and
cooperation platform, and beefing up knowledge and
information-sharing.
On ‘internet plus’ modern agriculture, the meeting
recognised the role of information and communication
technologies (ICT) in facilitating the transformation
and upgrade of agriculture, and the role of internet plus
modern agriculture in the value adding, distribution
and sale of agricultural products. It also entrusted the
FAO to study the establishment of an agricultural ICT
exchange and cooperation mechanism.
Coordinated development
On smallholder development and poverty relief, the
meeting appreciated the significance of smallholders in
agricultural development and food security. The parties
committed themselves to improving the degree of
smallholder organisation and market competitiveness,
and enhancing their position and role in the global
value chain. They highlighted the need to promote
coordinated urban-rural development, strengthen
the equal exchange and balanced distribution of
production factors in urban and rural areas, and foster
the integrated development of primary, secondary and
tertiary industries.
On investment and trade, the meeting supported
expanding agricultural investment in developing
regions, so as to have a win-win result between
investors and host countries. The meeting welcomed the
convening of the first G20 Agricultural Entrepreneurs
Forum (AE20), supported the private sector to have
enhanced dialogue and cooperation, and supported
multilateral trading systems to play a vital role in
global food security.
Han Changfu
Minister of Agriculture, People’s Republic of China
Boosting economic growth
This successful meeting has been highly recognised
by the international community.
First, it has sent a strong political signal. As a
major platform for global economic governance,
the G20 recognises the role of agriculture as the
foundation and guarantee for boosting economic
growth and stabilising people’s livelihoods. The
G20 is determined to keep playing a leading role in
global agricultural development and food security,
shouldering its responsibility.
Second, it has achieved landmark accomplishments.
Participants have agreed on regular meetings of
agricultural ministers to enhance the coordination
of food and agricultural policies and to tackle major
challenges. This helps improve the G20’s existing
economic governance structure and strongly underpins
its switch from an emergency-response mechanism to a
long-term governance mechanism.
Third, it has blazed new trails in working methods
and elements. Building on the outcome of previous
meetings, the 2016 meeting has proceeded with
the implementation of the Action Plan on Food
Price Volatility, and the reduction of food loss and
waste. Participants also actively discussed emerging
issues including agricultural ICT and coordinated
development between urban and rural areas. We
held the ministers meeting, the AE20 and the MACS
in parallel to realise synergies among governments,
enterprises and research institutes. This is a significant
innovation in international governance system for
food and agriculture.
Xi’an is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road
and a critical juncture of eastern and western cultures.
The successful convening of the G20 agriculture
ministers meeting there started a new chapter in
international agricultural cooperation. China will
continue its commitment to food security, deepen
agricultural and rural reforms, transform the model
of agricultural growth, and adjust the agricultural
structure. China will quicken the pace of agricultural
modernisation to achieve poverty alleviation in rural
areas and increase farmers’ incomes, so as to make
agriculture stronger, people in rural areas better off
and rural China more beautiful. By doing so, we can
build a moderately prosperous society in all respects
as scheduled. We will work together with other G20
members to fulfill the commitment to agriculture and
advance international agricultural exchange and
cooperation, so as to contribute to an innovative,
invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world
economy and achieve the SDGs. G20
G7G20.com September 2016 • G20 China: The Hangzhou Summit 67