KUNMING -- Chinese officials and scholars in the agricultural sector have underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation in agricultural biodiversity conservation to promote coordinated global agricultural production and ecological conservation.

The remarks were made at the 3rd International Agrobiodiversity Congress, which opened in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, on Tuesday. The conference focuses on a range of topics, including harnessing agricultural biodiversity to boost economic growth, mitigating climate change, improving environmental and biodiversity outcomes, promoting healthy diets, enhancing gender and social inclusivity, and developing effective conservation and management strategies.

Tao Huaiying, chief veterinary officer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that the Chinese government has integrated agricultural biodiversity conservation into its medium and long-term development plans.

He highlighted the ongoing efforts to increase investment in building a robust protection system for agricultural genetic resources, integrate biodiversity conservation with rural income growth, and strengthen international collaboration.

"China is willing to work with other countries to refine policy frameworks, enhance conservation capabilities, and drive technological innovation. Through multidimensional cooperation, we aim to achieve win-win outcomes in biodiversity conservation, food security and rural revitalization," he added.

Yang Zhenhai, a senior official of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), called for joint efforts to strengthen research on the protection and utilization of germplasm resources, particularly wild relatives and locally adapted varieties, and to optimize eco-agricultural models.

He stressed the importance of leveraging agricultural biodiversity in production systems to foster sustainable synergy between global agriculture and ecological preservation.

Co-hosted by CAAS, the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, the three-day conference has brought together over 800 representatives from more than 60 countries.

Through over 40 thematic reports, 15 side events and an exhibition featuring 16 case studies, the conference aims to address the challenges in agricultural biodiversity protection. It also seeks to foster global consensus and promote the exchange of new knowledge, technologies and experiences to enhance international cooperation.