Three decades of successful partnership between China and CABI towards sustainable food security and development in China and beyond has been celebrated at the 2nd International Symposium on Plant Biosafety (ISPB-2) in Guangzhou, China.
CABI was one of the co-organizers of ISPB-2, together with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS). CABI’s attendance at the symposium was followed by a series of high-level meetings in Beijing, led by CABI’s CEO, Dr Daniel Elger.
China joined CABI as a Member Country 30 years ago, This led later to the creation of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA)-CABI Joint Laboratory for Biosafety and five subcentres, which work towards sustainable management of crop pests and diseases. Collaboration under the Joint Laboratory has included work on pests such as the fall armyworm and promotion of south-south co-operation and technology transfers.
30 years of achievements from China-CABI cooperation
A commemorative event held as part of the ISPB-2 included a video presentation of the achievements made under China’s collaboration with CABI over the past 30 years.
The event featured a panel discussion including Dr Xia Jinyuan, Senior Adviser to the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Professor Sun Tan, Vice President, CAAS, and Dr Deng Yiqun, Secretary of Party, GAAS, as well as Dr Elger.
Domestic and international collaboration
The panel, moderated by CABI’s Director of Memberships, Dr Qiaoqiao Zhang discussed collaboration in China to combat domestic and transboundary pest threats, as well as the alignment of the China-CABI partnership with FAO. In 2024 CABI received an FAO Partnership Award while Institute of Plant Protection of CAAS (IPPCAAS) received an FAO Achievement Award. Dr Elger and Prof Tan noted CABI’s involvement in the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA), which aligns with CABI’s commitment to promote South-South collaboration among its Member Countries.
The panel discussion to mark the 30th anniversary of China-CABI strategic cooperation.
The panel discussion also explored the lessons GAAS has learned from its international cooperation projects, particularly in tropical agriculture, and potential areas of collaboration with the MARA-CABI Joint Laboratory programme.
To accelerate, widen and deepen collaboration, IPPCAAS, CABI and other partners launched the Belt and Road Initiative International Alliance of Science and Technology Innovation in Plant Protection (BRIAPP) at the ISPB-2 meeting.
CABI research featured
Various scientists from CABI shared with delegates the outcomes and impact of their research and international development projects, while Dr Zhang Feng, Regional Director, CABI East and Southeast Asia, chaired a plenary session.
Dr Stefan Toepfer, Integrated Crop Management Advisor, at CABI’s Swiss Centre, spoke about getting Europe prepared for the invasion of fall armyworm, considering experiences from other world regions.
Dr Zhang Jinping, Senior Project Scientist, CABI East & Southeast Asia Centre, highlighted CABI’s research into biological control solutions for the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys).
Muhammad Faheem, Integrated Crop Management Advisor, CABI East & Southeast Asia Centre, presented on the uptake of Integrated Pest Management practices through the CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Wan Min, Senior Project Coordinator, CABI East & Southeast Asia Centre, and Lai Wai Ching, Regional Sales Manager, CABI, highlighted the benefits of the CABI Digital Library in helping to bridge the gap from research to actionable agricultural solutions.
In other presentations, Professor Chen Jianping, Academician, Ningbo University, spoke about remolding the plant bio-safety management system, and Yuan Shankui, Division Director, ICAMA, MARA, addressed the development, regulation and use of biopesticides in China.
Dr Elger said, “I am confident that the close partnership between China and CABI will continue to contribute to the realisation of domestic objectives under the new (15th) Five-Year Plan and to international co-operation initiatives such as south-south co-operation among CABI Member Countries.
“CABI is delighted to be involved in the new CAASTIA initiative, led by CAAS and the African Academy of Sciences, and designed to share expertise and technology between China and Africa for mutual benefit.”
CABI also celebrated the 30th anniversary of China’s accession through a series of high-level meetings in China, discussing areas for expanded collaboration and mobilisation of supporting resources.
The CABI Delegation met with senior officials of MARA, Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, CAAS, GAAS, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao PDR and the British Embassy in Beijing.
Delegates of the 2nd International Symposium on Plant Biosafety (ISPB).
Additional information
Main image: The CABI team at the 2nd International Symposium on Plant Biosafety (ISPB) in Guangzhou, China, where 30 years of collaboration between China and CABI was also celebrated with a video presentation and panel discussion.
Video
You can see a video celebrating 30 years of collaboration between China and CABI here: https://youtu.be/uIwIt_-j4R8?si=2PCLKWoEQr3dvLef
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