On April 19th, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (BIOMA), China and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina launched the “China-Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center” project in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Online parallel sessions were set in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chinese Embassy in Argentina and INTA.

The center will lay a foundation for the synergistic development of industry, academia, and research in biogas sector through conducting joint research, training, demonstration project and typical case summary. The aim is to promote China-Argentina strategic cooperation of clean energy in agriculture, expand the depth and scope of south-south cooperation between China and Latin America regions, thus accelerating global progress in carbon reduction and carbon neutrality. Dr. Tang Huajun, President of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) attended the conference and made a speech. Mr. Wang Dengshan, Director General of BIOMA and Mr. Hernan Anibal Viola, Agricultural Counsellor of Argentina Embassy in China attended the opening ceremony. Tang Huajun pointed out that China-Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center is the implementation of cooperation agreements between CAAS and INTA, as well as Joint Action Plan between the Chinese and Argentina Governments (2019-2023). It is also an active response to building a community of shared future for mankind. He hopes that both sides will find more common ground, sustainably promote theoretical research and key technology development of biogas, and serve the people of the two countries through agricultural technological innovation, thus carrying out deeper and more pragmatic cooperation based on the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

H.E. Ambassador Zou Xiaoli of Chinese Embassy in Argentina, Mr. Wei Zhenglin, Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Yechu, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, and officials from Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Argentina, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, and UN Food and Agriculture Organization attended the conference and made speeches. Officials from the Department of International Cooperation of CAAS and researchers of BIOMA also attended the activity.

By Cheng Jingsi (chengjingsi@caas.cn)