The 3rd Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Kunming on Nov. 19-22. Vice Minister Zhang Zhili and Wang Xiangang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Leading Group of the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government, attended the meeting and delivered remarks. 

Vice Minister Zhang noted that the Chinese government places high importance on transforming agrifood systems, adopting an all-encompassing approach to agriculture and food, and ensuring its thorough implementation. China has implemented a range of measures, integrating policies, technology, equipment, green development, digitalization, social services, and international cooperation to advance high-quality agricultural development and strengthen food security both in China and across the GMS.  

Currently, the GMS faces significant challenges in transforming its agrifood systems, and China is committed to working with all parties to implement the consensus reached during the 8th GMS Summit. Vice Minister Zhang highlighted China’s willingness to strengthen policy coordination, align strategies, drive agricultural technological innovation, and deepen economic and trade investment and cooperation. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive international environment for transforming subregional agrifood systems, fostering momentum for transformation, and enhancing resilience. China stands ready to work with other countries to build a more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and competitive agrifood system, contributing to the prosperity of the subregion and the broader world. 

Co-organized by the MARA, the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government, and the Asian Development Bank, the Meeting adopted GMS 2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems and a Joint Ministerial Statement. 

During the event, several concurrent activities were held, including an international symposium on climate-smart agrifood systems in the GMS, 12 parallel seminars, and the 21st Annual Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Agriculture. Over 200 participants attended the Meeting and relevant activities, including officials, experts, business executives from member countries, as well as representatives from the Asian Development Bank and other bilateral and multilateral development partners.