Egypt's Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk stressed the importance of cooperation in the agricultural sector with other BRICS countries, ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit running from Sunday to Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Egypt, one of several countries to join the BRICS group last year, is looking for detailed and fruitful discussions about agricultural cooperation during this year’s BRICS summit.
"Food security has become a priority for most countries especially with the recent geopolitical volatility," Farouk told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"BRICS countries accounts for 59 percent of the world's population. The cultivated land of BRICS countries accounts for about 33 percent of cultivated land globally. It has 39 percent of clean water resources worldwide and has the largest number of small farms in the world at an average size of of 4.8 acres (nearly 2 hectares) per farm. BRICS nations produce 1.24 billion tons of grains a year. That's 44 percent of global production," Farouk said.
Noting the bloc's global influence, Farouk said that Egypt has signed several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with BRICS members over the past two years, particularly in agricultural trade and scientific collaboration.
"The truth is we signed several MOUs with BRICS members in the last two years. We started exporting mango to China and other BRICS countries. There are partnerships in science, education and expertise sharing," he said.
Egypt stresses agricultural cooperation with BRICS countries ahead of Rio summit
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
