The UN Theme Group on Agriculture and Food Security was launched today in Beijing. The group was chaired by FAO and co-chaired by WFP, with the attendance of other relevant UN agencies, as well as international organizations, Embassies and NGOs.

The primary purpose of the Agriculture and Food Security Theme Group is to create a platform for information sharing and coordination in the field of agriculture, food security and nutrition and enhance synergic actions among partners. The theme group also aims at creating linkages with other theme groups to make appropriate analysis, evaluation and planning on cross-cutting issues.

Dr. Vincent Martin, FAO representative in China and the DPRK, invited the participants to reflect on how best to support the government of China to reach its goals in the area of sustainable agricultural development and food security. Mr. Martin said that agriculture, food security and nutrition cut across many areas of the Sustainable Development Goals, and that agriculture has always been at the foundation of economic and social development in all parts of the world. Particularly, in China, the country focus in terms of food security has shifted from quantity to quality, access to safe and healthy food, improving competitiveness of the agricultural sector, addressing the supply and demand imbalances but also protecting the environment and strengthening biodiversity. The theme group in agriculture and food security will draw on collective wisdom to provide a strategic discussion platform for the group members.

Dr. Qu Sixi, WFP Country Director in China, said that agriculture is a corner stone for the economy of China and the world. He noted many key developments, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, China’s 13th Five Year Plan, and China’s supply-side reform in agriculture. Therefore the timing is perfect to create this theme group as a new platform, he said.

The theme group will address a variety of themes and topics in the future such as: climate smart agriculture, agro-biodiversity andagro-ecology, animal waste processing, supply chain management, internet+ agriculture, poverty reduction, social protection and rural employment, South-South & Trilateral Cooperation, One Belt One Road, agricultural investment policy inside China and abroad andagricultural innovation technology.