Remarks at Launch of the third phase of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Project in Uganda

• The Vice President of the Republic of Uganda – Her Excellency Jessica Alupo
• The Deputy Director-General of FAO – Ms. Beth Bechdol 
• The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda – H.E. Zhang Lizhong
• The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Hon. Frank Tumwebaze
• The Minister of State for Fisheries – Hon. Hellen Adoa
• The Director of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division at FAO – Dr. Ye Anping
• The Deputy Representative of FAO in Uganda – Ms. Priya Gujadhur
• Representatives of Government ministries, agencies and departments
• Dear colleagues from UN Agencies
• Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

I am honoured to address you as we launch the third phase of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Project in Uganda, celebrate the remarkable achievements of the programme so far, and reaffirm our commitment to better outcomes in this new phase.

This launch event comes at a time when Uganda has just hosted the Second High-level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, under the theme: “Building national capacities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation ecosystems in Africa and forging horizontal partnerships for sustainable and resilient societies”. I have learnt that the first two phases of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation project in Uganda, were the hallmark of knowledge and skills transfer between China and Uganda, and capacity development of agriculture personnel. Through study tours in Uganda and China, introduction of high-yielding crop varieties and improved practices, the project has been a catalyst for agriculture transformation, and can be a veritable vehicle to deliver national aspirations and the Sustainable Development Goals. On behalf of the United Nations in Uganda, I am therefore pleased, to officiate at the launch and inception workshop, with the knowledge that FAO is at the forefront of sustaining and advancing the agriculture sector, helping to lift lives out of poverty and food insecurity. I commend FAO for this leadership and commitment.

Your Excellency,

We now know that South-South Cooperation in agriculture transformation works; can we use the same modalities in other areas of development cooperation? Climate change is the defining issue of our time; public health crises, inequality and limited energy access could also benefit from South-South Cooperation. To reference the words of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, “cooperation is a great enabler for developing countries to learn from each other and grow more quickly, close income gaps and build resilient and inclusive societies.”

We believe that South-South Cooperation can unlock the required finances to support the transformation of economies like Uganda and strengthen environment protection and sustainable development at the same time. The United Nations is therefore honoured to continue serving the people of Uganda and to witness, with your Government, the positive contribution that the South-South Cooperation programme has made and will continue to make. The Government of Uganda has committed significant financial (about $10m) and technical resources into this new phase. We recognize and commend this development path, to learn from and share with another developing country; in this case- China. Truly, solutions lie in solidarity. Solutions to the poverty, climate change, food insecurity, inequality, limited energy access and health. 

However, to harness the solutions emanating from solidarity in South-South Cooperation, interventions must involve young people, civil society, the private sector and academia, to build innovative partnerships and increase the sustainability of interventions. South-South Cooperation must harness new technologies and digitalization to create opportunities and promote inclusiveness.

Your Excellency,

The partnerships we create today are the lifeline we will use to bring transformation and positive change to our people and planet in the future. The partnership with the People’s Republic of China is one of such partnerships. China is a front-runner, active player in, and significant contributor to South-South Cooperation and multilateralism in general. The UN recognizes and applauds this spirit and generosity. Our appeal is to other developing countries to step up to the challenge, recognise the achievements of South-South Cooperation so far and collaborate more. Once again, solutions lie in solidarity, in working together for the common good of all.

I wish you all a fruitful event. Thank you very much for your kind attention.

END.