The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) partnered to strengthen cooperation and build the capacity and sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in developing countries. The partnership will advance the transfer of technology and capacity development through the South-South Cooperation and promote joint efforts to advance global sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

"In fisheries and aquaculture, China is the biggest in almost everything," said Árni M. Mathiesen, FAO's assistant director-general for fisheries and aquaculture, at the signing of the agreement with Wang XiaoHu, president of CAFS, at FAO's headquarters in Rome. "Therefore, it really goes without saying that cooperation with CAFS is a great asset for FAO," Mathieson said.

Under the accord, FAO and CAFS will facilitate joint seminars and workshops, information exchange and technology transfers. The partners will support initiatives to promote climate impact mitigation and adaption and help build the resilience of fishers and others working in the sector, while strengthening efforts to increase the regulation and safety of fish products for regional and global trade.

South-South, together with Triangular Cooperation which involves third countries and other partners,breaks the traditional dichotomy between donors and recipients and has been effective in creating jobs, building infrastructure and promoting trade. Through this cooperation, FAO has facilitated exchanges of technical experience and know-how by fielding more than 2,000 experts and technicians to over 80 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North Africa and elsewhere over the past 20 years.