12 May 2025, EIAR, Addis Ababa
The event sought to breakthrough staggering science diplomacy in our country with the aim of scientific cooperation and exchanges to advance diplomatic goals and international relations which enhances interactions between scientists’ officials and other partners to address global challenges and build bridges between nations.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Ethiopia (EIAR) and China, delegation of BAAFS (Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences) was signed to foster science diplomacy and enhance research-development and innovation capacity building where high level officials of MoA, EIAR and BAAFS presented at Hiruy Hall, EIAR.
Professor Nigussie Dechassa, DG, EIAR explained in his welcoming speech that Ethiopia and China share a long-standing friendship, and today, we take another important step in fostering scientific cooperation. He added that this reciprocating visit will pave the way for joint research programs, capacity-building initiatives, and technology exchange, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience. Your insights and expertise will be instrumental in shaping this collaboration, and we look forward to fruitful discussions during your stay.
Professor Nigussie also said by combining Ethiopia’s rich agro-biodiversity with China’s technological expertise, we can accelerate innovations that address global food security challenges. This partnership will also facilitate researcher exchanges, joint projects, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring long-term impact for both our nations.
In his keynote speech, Professor Wu Baoxin, president of BAAFS stressed that Ethiopia is the birthplace of African civilization and an emblematic partner of China on the African continent. He also said we understand that Ethiopia and China’s agricultural alliance relies heavily on cooperation. This tour will allow us to see and learn about the existing agricultural situation, after which we will sign a MoU to collaborate on improving both countries’ agricultural transformation. We will use our collaboration we begin today and long-standing diplomatic relationship to promote the two countries’ agriculture research and technology in order to scale up China and Ethiopia’s socioeconomic development.
Professor Wu Baoxin delivered a public talk on the advancement of research and development in China and BAAFS, citing institutional and technological advances as drivers of Chinese success stories, as well as small-scale farmer capacity building. Professor Nigussie also delivered a public speech on “Future areas of collaboration and cooperation,” highlighting a number of concerns, including a wish list of areas of collaboration with BAAFS, such as hybrid crop variety creation, AI research technologies, and so on. Furthermore, one of the programs will include visits to various EIAR research centers so that the delegation can witness the agricultural research ecosystem in action.