The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Workshop for
Agricultural Ministers ended in Beijing Sunday with the adoption of
a joint initiative to intensity cooperation among ACD members.
Ministers and vice ministers of agriculture from 20 ACD member
nations participated in the two-day First Workshop for ACD
Agricultural Ministers, held on May 22 and 23.
Participants agreed that diversity in agricultural policy,
technology, environment and development created strong potential
for mutual cooperation among the ACD member nations.
They said mutually beneficial voluntary cooperation that
respects individual nations' domestic agricultural policies will
bring great benefit to Asian the people and promote sustained peace
and prosperity in the region.
The participants agreed that the priorities of ACD agricultural
cooperation should include: development policy, practical
technology, sustainable development, and rural development and
poverty alleviation.
The ministers also encouraged its member nations to learn from
each other in the area of agricultural development policy and
strengthen agricultural negotiations within the framework of
WTO.
In view of distinct characteristics and diversity of
agricultural development in Asian countries, ACD members are
encouraged to intensify exchange and cooperation on practical
agricultural technology in the fields such as crops, livestock
production, irrigation and drainage, fishery and aquiculture,
agro-machinery, agro-processing, agricultural information, animal
and plant quarantine, and disease prevention and control, etc.
ACD members are also advised to cooperate in the utilization of
clean energy and renewable energy resources in rural areas, natural
resources conservation, surveillance and monitoring of
agro-chemical residue, and early warning and prevention of natural
disasters. Such measures are designed to improve conditions and
competitiveness, enhance food safety and security, make better use
of renewable natural resources and promote the sustainable
development of agriculture.
ACD member nations are encouraged to cooperate in revitalizing
rural economies and eliminating poverty. Efforts will be made to
achieve prosperity, stability and balanced development of the rural
economy through such methods as developing human resources in rural
areas and increasing rural employment, particularly for women.
Vice Minister of Agriculture Zhang Baowen pointed out that the
initiatives agreed upon at the workshop would require
follow-up.
Zhang also said that as the leader in ACD agricultural
cooperation, China expressed its commitment to consolidate and
expand the decisions made at the workshop.
He added that this year, China will organize an ACD agricultural
policy forum to discuss development strategy and policy measures.
Also, in response to the UN's resolution designating 2004 as the
International Year of Rice, China will organize an Asia rice
development workshop and technology exhibition. This would help
rice production to play a bigger role in safeguarding Asia's food
security and in sustainable agricultural development of Asia.
Zhang said the Chinese government would provide human resources,
material and financial support to ensure the success of these
efforts.
(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2004)