SAIN Launch Events

After a year’s consultation and preparation, China-UK Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network (SAIN) will be launched in early November 2008. To celebrate this landmark achievement in the two countries cooperation on agriculture and sustainable development, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), UK Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affair (DEFRA) and Secretariat Offices of SAIN will jointly organise the following events:

1. Inaugural workshop to be hold jointly with Yangling International Agri-Science Forum, 5-7 November 2008. The theme of the Forum is ”Circular Agriculture-Technologies and Policies”(http://www.sainonline.org/SAIN-website(English)/pages/News/080812.html) which covers the aspects of (i) theory and development of circular agriculture; (ii) circular agriculture and the environment; (iii) Bio-energy and circular agriculture and (iv) Policy for circular agriculture. RCUK China(http://www.rcuk.cn/rcuk/fore/s_workshop_cnt_en.php?pgm_id=77) is a co-sponsor of the Forum. A roundtable meeting will take place on the afternoon of 7th November at which UK and Chinese participants will discuss the proposed SAIN work programme and explore how UK and Chinese stakeholders could contribute to the development and implementation of SAIN, and consider specific opportunities to work together in the future.

2. Plaque unveiling ceremony at the SAIN Secretariat China office in Northwest A&F University on the afternoon on 5th November. It will be honoured by the presence of senior officials from Shaanxi Provincial Government, Ministry of Agriculture, Norwest A&F University, UK Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, and RCUK China Office.

3. Ministerial launch of SAIN on 10th November in Beijing. The event will be in conjunction with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding of Agricultural Cooperation between two countries, and the China-UK Workshop on Sustainable Agriculture Strategies and Policies. Ministers of MOA and DEFRA will cut the ribbon for SAIN.