The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched "One Country, One Product" in the Asia-Pacific region to actively promote characteristic agricultural products

On May 10, 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held the Asia and Pacific Regional Launch Meeting of the Global Action for Green Development of "One Country, One Product" Featured Agricultural Products to encourage countries in the Asia-Pacific region to join the "One Country, One Product" campaign to develop green value chain and promote its characteristic agricultural products international.

 

The virtual launch was attended by nearly 250 participants from Asia-Pacific countries, including multinational agriculture ministers, senior government officials and technical experts, as well as representatives of development partners, research institutions and the private sect.

 

　　In September 2021, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu launched the "One Country, One Product" campaign global.

The launch of “One Country, One Product” in the Asia-Pacific region aims to develop a green and sustainable value chain for specialty agricultural products in the Asia-Pacific region, helping small farmers and family farms enjoy the benefits of accessing global markets, thereby promoting the transformation of agri-food systems, and ultimately Better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life for all, leaving no one behi.

 

　　In her opening remarks, FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bethbekdo pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region can provide the world with a rich variety of specialty agricultural produc.

"The Asia-Pacific region is very special, home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, where agricultural development and rural livelihoods are a top priority, a region with a long and rich history of agricultural development," she said, adding that , joining "One Country One Product" is a great opportunity for all countries in the Asia-Pacific regi.

 

　　high-level participation

 

　　The guests who attended the launching ceremony and delivered speeches included ministerial representatives from China, Indonesia, Laos, Samoa, Thailand, Bhutan and Solomon Islan.

Representatives from partners such as the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the University of Western Australia, the SAARC Agricultural Centre and the International Trade Centre also attended the launching ceremo.

Participants fully affirmed the potential benefits of "one country, one product" and pledged to actively participa.

 

　　Li Jinxiang, the national chief veterinarian (officer) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, was invited to attend the launching ceremony and delivered a keynote speech, introducing the experience and practices of organizing and implementing "one village, one product" in Chi.

He emphasized that China highly appreciates the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for launching the "one country, one product" global campaign for the green development of characteristic agricultural produc.

China's experience shows that the development of characteristic and advantageous industries is a vivid practice of implementing the concept of sustainable development, a long-term strategy to achieve stable poverty alleviation, an effective way for farmers to increase their incomes and become rich, and a strong support for improving the living standards of urban and rural residen.

It is of great significance to agricultural and rural developme.

 

　　Participants said that "one country, one product" will potentially drive more resources for variety improvement, climate-smart technologies, land management, agricultural mechanization, as well as market connection and trade facilitati.

 

　　Asia Pacific - more than a land of fish and rice

 

　　Li Xuan, FAO Senior Policy Officer and Regional Director of "One Country, One Product", introduced the regional implementation plan of "One Country, One Product" in the Asia-Pacific region, and related work is being carried out in an orderly mann.

She said that the "one country, one product" initiative is based on the experience of "one village, one product" in Asia-Pacific countries, and the key to success lies in cultivating diversified business entities and comprehensive development of green agricultu.

 

　　The "One Country One Product" initiative attaches great importance to the development of characteristic agricultural produc.

Specialty agricultural products refer to agricultural products with unique qualities and characteristics due to geographical location, production methods and cultural herita.

In some cases, these specialty agricultural products have not received the same attention as common agricultural produc.

 

　　"Compared to staple crops, specialty agricultural products have not yet fully benefited from agricultural and rural-related development programs, but they can effectively help ensure food security and healthy diets, support sustainable development, improve farmers' livelihoods, and promote economic growth, while protecting the environment and biological Diversity," said Jongzhen Kim, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacif.

 

　　"Because of this huge potential in specialty agricultural products, we are seeing strong interest from FAO Members and other partners in the regi.

This is a testament to the huge potential of 'one country, one product' in the Asia-Pacific region," he add.

 

　　Kim Jong-jin expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of various governments, this important initiative can make a huge contribution to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially the promotion of sustainable development, by promoting the transformation of food systems and rural development in the regi.

Achievement of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalitie.