A New Milestone of High-level Cooperation between FAO and IGSNRR-CAS

Wang, S. L.

Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Keywords: FAO; IGSNRR-CAS; GIES; MOU

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3974/geodp.2024.03.02

CSTR: https://cstr.escience.org.cn/CSTR:20146.99.2024.03.02

Editor??s Note: On February 19, 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR-CAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the 37th FAO Asia-Pacific Regional Conference. This cooperation supports the FAO??s ??One Country One Priority Product?? initiative through the Geographical Indications Environment & Sustainability (GIES) methods and technologies developed by IGSNRR-CAS. The MOU was signed by Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director General of FAO, and Wang, Shenglin, Deputy Director General of IGSNRR-CAS. Following the signing, Wang, Shenglin delivered a speech titled ??A New Milestone of High-level Cooperation between IGSNRR-CAS and FAO??, the full text of which is as follows.

Your Excellencies,

Mrs. Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director General of FAO,

Mr. Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director General of FAO,

Mr. Younten Phuntsho, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the Kingdom of Bhutan,

Mr. Brown Konabe, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea,

Mr. Zhu, Yanwei, Acting Charge affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon!

I am honored to be invited to participate in the 37th Ministerial Summit of FAO of the United Nations for Asia and the Pacific and on behalf of IGSNRR-CAS to sign the ??Memorandum of Understanding between FAO and IGSNRR-CAS on Geographical Indications Environment & Sustainability (GIES)?? in this important moment.

FAO is an international organization with great reputation and credit from all over the world. We sincerely admire and appreciate the benefits and contributions she has made to the human being, including the Chinese people, in eradicating hunger, poverty and inequality, promoting green development and many other aspects, especially the 2021?C2031 strategic development framework proposed by FAO and the implementation of the flagship of ??One Country One Priority Product?? (OCOP) initiative.

The IGSNRR-CAS is a national research institute with the most concentrated talents in the fields of geographical science, natural resources, regional science, ecosystem, environmental science, and big data technology application within the Chinese scientific and technological communities. For a long time, the IGSNRR-CAS has placed great emphasis on the theoretical construction and social service practice of geography for the sustainable development studies in global, regional, national and local scales. In 2021, the IGSNRR-CAS, in collaboration with the Geographical Society of China, launched the ??GIES 2021?C2030??: A Decade Initiative, aiming to promote the achievement of the SDGs of the United Nations and explore a re-useful, promotional, and reference available methods and tools for SDGs.

In August 2023, the International Green Low-Carbon Innovation Conference and the GIES workshop were held in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, Fengxian, Jiangsu Province, and Beijing, China. Agricultural officials and experts from five countries in the Asia and Pacific region conducted preliminary discussions on experience exchange, product exhibitions, on-site inspections, and technology transfer regarding the GIES for OCOP. Through this collaboration, all of the participates had reached a consensus that the GIES method and technology were listed for supporting the implementation of the OCOP initiative.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that the signing of the MOU is a milestone in the new round of high-level cooperation between the IGSNRR-CAS and the FAO. I promise to follow the terms of the MOU and implement them into action. My institute will fully cooperate with FAO flagship OCOP, and take the lead in data and knowledge sharing, free technology transfer, and the capacity building.

Many thanks to FAO Asia Pacific Office and all who dedicated your great effort to make this happen??

I wish our cooperation success and fruitful results!

Wishing all of you a happy Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival!