Ambassador of China to FAO Guang Defu met FAO Chief Scientist Dr. Ismahane Elouafi on May 31, 2022 on the occasion of the Presentation Ceremony of 2020 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the P. R. China.

Ambassador Guang Defu, who is also Permanent Representative of China to FAO, had a cordial and friendly conversation with Dr. Elouafi prior to the ceremony. Ambassador Guang stated that agricultural S&T provides fundamental support for national food security and its advancement represents the essential way to sustainable agricultural development and the supply of agricultural products. China supports FAO in formulating the FAO Science and Innovation Strategy (the Strategy) as parts of efforts to promote the application of digital technology in agriculture and rural development, and improve farmers’ wellbeing.     

Dr. Elouafi thanked China for playing an active and constructive role in promoting the formulation of the Strategy. She said FAO and China have carried out fruitful cooperation in S&T innovation to eradicate poverty and hunger, and improve nutrition, hoping that China continue playing a more critical role in global food and agricultural governance.  

Ambassador Guang Defu and Dr. Ismahane Elouafi were invited to the Presentation Ceremony of 2020 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the P. R. China, the nation’s highest scientific honour for non-national individuals and institutions, held by the Embassy of China to Italy. Chinese Ambassador to Italy Li Junhua presented the award to the Rome-based Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). China granted its 2020 Award to 8 foreign scientists and 1international organization.