22 September 2020, Rome – FAO welcomed an announcement today by Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, that his country will support the UN agency’s South-South Cooperation (SSC) efforts with an additional $50 million in funding.

“We are very grateful for this new $50 million contribution announced by President Xi, as it provides a strong boost to the work of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said.

“Through knowledge-sharing, & the exchange of expertise & technologies between developing countries, the Programme aims to improve food security & nutrition, reduce rural poverty, engage rural women & youth, build resilience, & develop local capacities to contribute to the 2030 Agenda,”  the FAO Director-General said.

President Xi made the announcement during a video address to the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly. He also said China would contribute $50 million to the UN’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan to COVID-19.

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme, which has benefited more than 70,000 people directly in 12 developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa & Asia. Since FAO & China established the SSC Programme in 2009, experts from China have shared their knowledge & technologies with local farmers in Africa & Asia to raise agricultural productivity & sustainability in areas such as cereal production, animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries & aquaculture, & water & soil management & conservation.

In 2009, a $30 million FAO-China Trust Fund was established, allowing for the funding of knowledge & experience exchanges between China & other countries in the global South. In 2015, China contributed a new $50 million for Phase II of the FAO-China South- South Cooperation Programme. Today’s announcement is for support to Phase III.

Phase III of the FAO-China SSC Programme

Phase III of the FAO-China SSC Programme covers six key thematic areas: enhancement of agricultural production, productivity & profitability; sustainable food systems, including value chains, supply chain management & international agricultural trade; tropical agriculture & dryland farming; building resilience to shocks & crises; emergency response; &, global governance & traditional agricultural areas

Phase III’s overall goal is to assist developing countries in their efforts contributing to poverty alleviation, emergency response, resilience building, sustainable food systems, & the promotion of food security & nutrition for all by 2030.

FAO’s role in South-South & Triangular Cooperation

FAO has played a pioneering role in championing South-South & Triangular Cooperation which brings in the rich North. In the past two decades, more than $370 million has been invested in related projects & activities.

The successful introduction of new technologies through SSC in many countries has contributed to increased food security, especially through the improvement of agricultural productivity, diversification of food crops, small animal & fish production, & rural incomes.