FAO and China’s Ministry of Natural Resources sign new Memorandum of Understanding

Rome- FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today had a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China Lu Hao, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed. Guang Defu, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of China to FAO also attended the virtual meeting. 

The Director-General congratulated the Minister for the successful hosting of the COP15 in Kunming in October by China and commended the Chinese Government for setting an excellent example of successfully adhering to green development in all sectors of the economy. In his remarks, the Director-General pointed out that sustainable natural resources management is at the core of FAO’s mandate and vision. He further highlighted that the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 will focus on transforming agrifood systems to make them more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

The Director-General expressed FAO’s willingness to enhance collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources of China. He emphasized that the MoU would provide unprecedented opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, such as:  natural resources survey and monitoring, biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, eco-compensation and payment, sustainable use of land and water resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and blue economy development.   

The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Director-General and FAO. He confirmed the willingness to strengthen collaboration with FAO, especially in the fields of natural resources protection and management, sustainable utilization of water and land, as well as biodiversity conservation. Meanwhile, Minister Lu recalled the Director-General’s meetings with the Ministry over the past two years, and thanked FAO for its support and technical contribution to the successful organization of the first part of COP15. 

Finally, the Minister briefly introduced China’s policies on ecological civilization, community of landscape, forest, field, lake and grass, as well as carbon neutrality. Minister Lu also flagged the major challenges in balancing promotion of agricultural production on one hand and protecting the natural environment and biodiversity on the other hand. The Minister said he looked forward to FAO’s expertise and experience, and to sharing Chinese expertise and experience with other countries through FAO.

During the meeting, the implementation agreement for the Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Centre (LASAC) of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and FAO was signed, which focuses on satellite remote sensing data and technology application on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefits.