China-Latin America and the Caribbean Agricultural Ministers Forum (hereinafter referred to as “China-LAC Agricultural Ministers Forum”) aims at building a platform for agricultural exchange between government departments, research institutes and businesses of China and Latin American and Caribbean states so as to fully deepen China-Latin America mutually beneficial cooperation.
On June 8th and 9th, 2013, the first China-LAC Agricultural Ministers Forum was held in Beijing, during which a thematic forum on agricultural science and technology and a thematic forum on agricultural economy and trade were held respectively, attended by over 350 representatives of agricultural departments, research institutes and businesses from China and 22 Latin American and Caribbean states and some international and regional organizations (including 16 ministers and 9 vice ministers).
At the Forum themed on “Mutually Beneficial Cooperation for Win-Win Development”, participants reviewed the journey of China-Latin America friendly cooperation in the field of agriculture and achievements scored, and exchanged views on the opportunities and prospects of strengthening China-Latin America agricultural cooperation under the new circumstances, explored ways and means for comprehensive cooperation, and reached extensive consensus. All participants agreed that China-Latin America and the Caribbean Agricultural Ministers Forum is an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between government departments, research institutes and businesses of the two sides, and can help to foster a good environment for China-Latin America agricultural cooperation and development.
The Forum adopted a core outcome document – Beijing Declaration of the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Agricultural Ministers Forum which mapped out the blueprint for China-Latin America agricultural cooperation in the future. It was agreed that the Forum shall work as an effective mechanism for China and Latin American and Caribbean states to carry out constructive dialogues in the fields such as agricultural economy and trade, research, development and innovation; the two sides shall work to explore the possibility of making a Strategic Plan for Agricultural Cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean States; cooperation measures that are consistent with relevant international norms and meet the needs of various parties shall be introduced based on the principles of mutual complementarity, mutual benefit, equality, respect of diversity, consensus and win-win development so as to promote sustainable development of China-Latin America agricultural cooperation; the two sides shall work together to facilitate agricultural trade by promoting the elimination of tariff and none-tariff barriers and streamlining sanitary and phytosanitary licensing procedures based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation; the two side shall work together to explore contingency measures for food security to ensure regional food security; the two sides shall work together to establish a research and development center for agricultural science and technology and a demonstration park for agricultural production and manufacturing to carry out joint research and promote advanced and applicable technologies to improve agricultural production and manufacturing; the two sides shall work together to promote investment in agricultural projects; the two sides shall jointly hold trade promotion activities for agricultural products through fairs, exhibitions and promotions; the two sides shall work together to host seminars and workshops on policies and technologies related to agricultural trade, research, development and innovation, and animal and plant health; and the China-Latin America Agricultural Cooperation Fund of US$50 million set up by the Chinese government shall be fully used to guide the implementation of agricultural cooperation projects of the two sides. The two sides shall also strengthen dialogue and cooperation in international organizations such as the UN FAO, Committee on World Food Security, WTO and OIE.
As a follow-up action to implement the outcomes of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Latin American and Caribbean states, the Forum has built a platform for the government departments, research institutes and businesses of China and Latin American and Caribbean states to carry out agricultural exchange based on the principle of “practical cooperation and win-win development”, creating favorable conditions for the two sides to strengthen political trust and deepen comprehensive cooperative partnership. China is willing to, in accordance with the spirit of Plan for Cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean States (2015-2019) adopted at the first ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in January, 2015, maintain communication with relevant Latin American and Caribbean states, and discuss on the matters regarding the early hosting of the second China-LAC Agricultural Ministers Forum.
