Africa-China-ClMMYT Science Forum (2024)

August 13–16, 2024, the First Africa–China–CIMMYT Science Forum—co-hosted by ICS-CAAS and CIMMYT—was held in Nairobi, Kenya. The forum aimed to take stock of the outcomes of China–Africa agricultural S&T cooperation, exchange experiences in agricultural development, and explore pathways for future collaboration. Ye Yujiang, Vice President of CAAS; Zhou Wenbin, Director General of ICS-CAAS; and He Zhonghu, Head of the CIMMYT China Office (Research Professor), attended the meeting.

In his remarks, Ye Yujiang underscored the importance of China–Africa cooperation in agricultural science and technology, noting that China’s agricultural technologies and experience are of great significance for addressing food security and poverty in Africa. He emphasized that CAAS will further deepen partnerships with African counterparts to advance agricultural modernization and promote shared development and prosperity.

Zhou Wenbin stated that the successful convening of the forum provides an important platform for deepening S&T cooperation between China and Africa in such fields as germplasm exchange, variety development, and the dissemination of cropping models. He suggested establishing the forum as a standing platform for regular exchange, with hosting rotated among participating countries to facilitate information-sharing, project planning, and friendship.

During the forum, experts conducted in-depth discussions on topics including the identification and use of genetic resources; genetic improvement in maize, wheat, and dryland crops; the sustainable development of agri-food systems in sub-Saharan Africa; and building partnerships for the present and the future, reaching broad consensus. Going forward, all parties will further deepen cooperation on germplasm sharing, soil-fertility enhancement, irrigation optimization, digital and sustainable cropping systems, and plant protection; plan and launch new projects; strengthen personnel exchanges; establish long-term cooperation mechanisms; integrate resources; seek project funding; and promote supportive policies. After the meeting, participants visited the KALRO–CIMMYT experimental station. In total, 138 leaders and experts from 29 institutions at home and abroad took part in the forum.