Beirut: Agriculture Minister Dr. Nizar Hani held a working meeting at the invitation of the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Lebanon, Chen Chuandong, dedicated to following up on agricultural cooperation between the two countries, reviewing ongoing joint projects and exploring prospects for their development in the coming period.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the meeting provided an opportunity to assess the progress made in drafting the final version of the agricultural cooperation agreement between the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China. The agreement aims to strengthen the institutional framework of the bilateral partnership and open new avenues for cooperation in the fields of agricultural scientific research, capacity building, exchange of expertise, transfer of modern agricultural technologies, and support for sustainable rural development.
The discussion also focused on the implementation steps related to joint projects, particularly the agricultural drone project funded by the Chinese side, which represents an advanced model of technical cooperation between the two countries. The project has contributed to introducing modern technologies into Lebanon's agricultural sector by supporting pest control operations, enhancing monitoring and management of natural resources, and improving the efficiency of agricultural management in line with the requirements of sustainable development and food security.
Both sides emphasized the importance of building on the positive results achieved through joint initiatives over recent years, and of working to expand areas of cooperation to include additional programs and projects that support the development of Lebanon's agricultural sector and enhance its ability to address economic, environmental, and climate-related challenges.
Minister Hani expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the People's Republic of China to Lebanon, particularly to the agricultural sector, praising the active role played by Ambassador Chen Chuandong in strengthening and developing bilateral relations. Hani also reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture's aspiration to enhancing agricultural, technical, and investment cooperation with China in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries and contributes to supporting farmers and achieving sustainable and comprehensive agricultural development.
This meeting comes within the framework of the growing relations between Lebanon and China, and the joint efforts aimed at strengthening development partnerships and exchanging expertise and modern technologies in support of food security and sustainable rural development goals.