UN agencies support Belt and Road initiative

Three United Nations Rome based agencies have voiced support to the "Belt and Road" initiative as they said they are ready to explore opportunities offered by the initiative.

In a joint statement with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the United Nation World Food Program said they welcome the Chinese government's initiative as it would offer potential opportunities in line with their respective missions.

The statement was released after the China-UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture Roundtable on South-South Cooperation on Saturday in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.

José Graziano da Silva, director general of the FAO, said during the roundtable that the FAO recognizes the value of initiative, and it will work to develop a new structure of cooperation with China under the framework of the initiative.

The roundtable was the first of its kind held between the Chinese government and the three UN agencies.

Han Changfu, minister of agriculture, said a closer cooperation between China and the three agencies will help the realization of the UN 2030 sustainable development agenda and its targets for global poverty alleviation.

The Chinese agricultural ministry has also signed memorandum of understanding of establishing all-round strategic partnership with the FAO. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Fund for Agricultural Development.