The first meeting of the inaugural board of China-Africa Alliance for Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation was successfully held online on April 14.
Academician Huang Sanwen, Co-Chair of the Alliance’s Chinese Side and President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), and Prof. Lise Korsten, Co-Chair of the Alliance’s African Side and President of the African Academy of Sciences, attended the meeting and delivered addresses. Prof. Sun Tan, Vice President of CAAS and Executive Vice Chair of the Alliance, presided over the relevant agenda.
More than 80 representatives from 27 council member institutions of China and Africa gathered virtually to jointly discuss development strategies and draw a blueprint for cooperation, marking that the development of the Alliance has entered a new stage featuring institutionalized and long-term operations.
As the first formal council meeting since the establishment of the Alliance, this event serves as a key milestone in delivering on the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit and advancing China-Africa agricultural science and technology cooperation.
The meeting efficiently completed all scheduled agenda items, including reviewing the Alliance Charter and its work progress, confirming vice-chair member institutions, admitting new members, setting up specialized subcommittees, and approving the 2026 work plan. The session yielded fruitful outcomes and forged broad consensus among all participants.
Meeting venue of the Secretariat of the Chinese side of the China-Africa Alliance for Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation
In his address, Academician Huang Sanwen, President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), pointed out that the establishment of the China-Africa Alliance for Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation constitutes a major initiative announced by President Xi Jinping and an important consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders, serving as a landmark platform for fostering an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Since its official inauguration in November 2024, the Alliance has evolved from a strategic proposal into substantive operation. Its governance framework has been steadily refined, cooperation projects have been rolled out in a well-paced manner, and its global influence keeps growing.
"The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences will join hands with the African Academy of Sciences and all council member institutions to deepen joint research, technology demonstration and talent training, and boost high-quality China-Africa cooperation through agricultural science and technology."
Huang Sanwen, President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, delivers a speech
Dr. Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences, stated in her address that this Council meeting is of landmark significance, and the Alliance has built a solid innovation bridge for China-Africa agricultural science and technology cooperation.
She pointed out that adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits as well as mutual benefit and win-win results, the Alliance serves as a vital platform to support Africa’s agricultural modernization and advance the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
She spoke highly of the 2026 work plan. In particular, she looks forward to the delivery of key initiatives including the Science and Technology Empowerment Programme for Agricultural Talents between China and Africa (STEP‑A), demonstration villages for technology transfer and poverty alleviation through science and technology, and standardized governance mechanisms. She expressed the hope to draw on China’s successful experience in agricultural development, promote the localization of advanced and appropriate technologies across Africa, ensure cooperation outcomes truly benefit smallholder farmers, and contribute to Africa’s food security and sustainable development.
"The African Academy of Sciences stands ready to work closely with the Chinese side to improve the governance framework and deepen practical cooperation, and jointly build the Alliance into a model for global agricultural science and technology cooperation."
Prof. Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences, delivers an address
Centering on priority areas including food security, biosecurity and planning & evaluation, the meeting clarified the orientation for setting up specialized subcommittees, reviewed and approved the 2026 work plan, and agreed on a host of practical measures covering joint scientific research, talent empowerment, joint platform development and flagship events, drawing a clear roadmap for the high-quality development of the Alliance.
Under the 2026 work plan, the Alliance will focus on advancing six key tasks: refining governance and operational mechanisms, delivering joint research projects, rolling out the Science and Technology Empowerment Programme for Agricultural Talents between China and Africa (STEP-A), boosting the development of cooperation platforms, hosting annual flagship events, and enhancing publicity and information services.
The Alliance’s annual general assembly is scheduled to take place in early November in Sanya, Hainan, to be held concurrently with the 8th Global Leadership Assembly of Agricultural Science and Technology (GLAST-2026).
The meeting discusses the key work arrangements of the Alliance for 2026
Vice President Sun Tan remarked in his concluding speech that the meeting was pragmatic, efficient and delivered remarkable outcomes. The session confirmed the first batch of vice-chair member institutions, further perfecting the Alliance’s governance structure. A new cohort of member organizations was reviewed and approved, pushing the Alliance’s membership to an all-time high — the total number of members has exceeded 100, covering 26 African countries, which has greatly elevated the Alliance’s international representation and influence.
Sun Tan, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Executive Vice Chairman of the Alliance,
presides over the meeting and delivers concluding remarks
The successful convening of this Council meeting marks more standardized operation and deeper cooperation of the Alliance.
Going forward, the Alliance will adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, continue to forge a model of South-South cooperation and a global bridge for agricultural science and technology innovation. It will deliver more tangible outcomes to bolster Africa’s food security and sustainable agricultural development, and contribute scientific and technological strength to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Online group photo taken during the conference
