China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Forum On Argicultural Modernization for Proverty Reduction

Opening Ceremony



　　On July 28, 2012, The China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Forum was opened in Dar-es-Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. H.E. Mr. Jakaya Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Fan Xiaojian, Deputy Head of the State Council’s Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development and Minister of the Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Government officials and scholars from China and Africa, together with more than 120 representatives from UNDP, the World Bank, DFID, etc. were present at the meeting. More than 20 ministerial-level delegates from Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Eritrea, Mauritius, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Mauritania, Rural Economy and Agriculture Commissioners of the African Union, and senior representatives with Southeast African Organizations also attended the conference as well.





　　In his opening speech, H.E. Mr. Jakaya Kikwete said that China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Forum,which was held at the end of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of China-Africa Cooperation Forum, could never be too timely, as it is of great significance to implement the decisions and initiatives taken and established by the meeting.
　　He said that 70% of sub-Saharan Africans live in rural areas and follow the traditional agricultural practices. The low productivity and yield make rural poverty and food insecurity pre-eminent issues. In that case, African countries have expressed a strong political will and are better prepared to realize agricultural modernization without any delay.
　　He noted that to achieve this goal, Tanzania needs to cooperate with China, and draw upon the extensive experience China has accumulated in poverty reduction and development. Meanwhile, China is ready and willing to facilitate Africa’s agricultural transformation, improve its infrastructure, and conduct agricultural R&D and training of the related personnel.
　　He also pointed out that with a population of 1.3 billion, China is an important market for African’s agricultural products. China’s private sector can establish manufacturing enterprises in cooperation with Tanzania. And Tanzania hopes to access the Chinese market via this event.



　　Fan pointed out that, China and African countries remain at the same development stage, and share common goals in promoting development and eliminating poverty. For a long time, China and African countries have been actively exploring development approaches in seeking national prosperity and pursuing happiness, with remarkable achievements accomplished in stimulating growth, accelerating poverty reduction and pushing forward social progress. He said that agricultural and rural development constitutes an important basis for growth and poverty reduction. With a view to improving the capacity and level of agricultural policy-making, agricultural infrastructure
construction and agricultural technology research and extension, and realizing poverty reduction through agricultural
modernization, this event will be of particular significance in advancing agricultural growth and rural development of both Africa and China.



　　Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Mr. Lv Youqing expressly pointed out in his opening address that during the just-concluded 5th Ministerial Meeting of China-Africa Cooperation Forum, President Hu Jintao had announced, on behalf of the Chinese government, five key areas to endorse peace and development of Africa and promote the new China-Africa strategic partnership. The China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Forum held in Tanzania this year marks a concrete action take by both sides to implement the spirit of the said ministerial meeting, symbolizing that China-Africa and China-Tanzania communication and cooperation on poverty reduction and development has entered a new phase.

Topics

　　● Overview of Agricultural Modernization and Poverty Reduction
　　● Agricultural Policies and Policy Development Process
　　● The Role of Agricultural Infrastructure Construction and Agricultural Technology Research and Extension in Promoting Agricultural Modernization
　　● The Role of Agricultural Industrial Chain and Farmers’ Organization in Promoting Agricultural Modernization
　　● The Way Forward for Agriculture Development in Africa and How it Could Benefit From South-South Cooperation



　　Keynote Report: Review of Agricultural Modernization and Anti-poverty Policies in China (1978-2012)

Side Events



　　Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete met with the Chinese poverty reduction delegation

Voice of Participants

　　AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace says the theme of the forum, which echoes the CAADP now being implemented, reflects the spirit of South-South Cooperation.

　　Deputy Director General of Promotion of Private Sector, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development of Mauritania Mr. Mohamed Yahya Taleb Ahmed is a first-time participant of the forum, which in his eyes is a good platform for sharing poverty reduction experience.

　　Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic development of Sierra Leone Mr. Momodu Kargbo points out that the development of economy cannot go without the development of agriculture, and poverty reduction also needs to rely on agricultural development and rural productivity improvement. He emphasizes the significance of agriculture-led poverty reduction cooperation between China and Africa within the South-South cooperation framework. Rather than taking resources away, cooperation on poverty reduction leaves practical technologies and precious experiences on the soil of Africa.

Media Coverage



Previous Events



　　The “China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Conference” was held from November 1 to 2, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conference brought together 250-odd participants, including Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Zheng Wenkai, Deputy Director of LGOP and Ms. Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator.



　　From January 7 to 13, 2012, the “China-Africa Seminar on Poverty Reduction and Development”was held
in Shenzhen, with the participation of more than 50 representatives, including Mr. Zheng Wenkai, Deputy Director of LGOP, Hailemeskel Tefera, Urban Development and Construction State Minister of Ethiopia.