Beijing, 1-10 June 2026 – The training workshop for CICA Member States, dedicated to tackling the pressing challenges of food loss reduction and enhancing efficiency across the agri-food supply chain, held in Beijing. Organized by the Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration of China from June 1 to 10, the event served as platform for implementing CICA confidence-building measures in the priority area of agriculture.
The opening session featured remarks by Tan Bengang, President of the Academy of NAFRA, and Zhang Yan, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of NAFRA. In his address at the opening ceremony, СICA Deputy Secretary General Mr. Farid Damirli underscored that food security is not merely a national priority, but a cornerstone for building sustainable development, social stability, and regional prosperity. He highlighted that the current global landscape, marked by climate change and supply chain disruptions, demands urgent and coordinated action.
Deputy Secretary General Damirli underlined China’s commitment as the coordinator for agriculture – a priority area under the CICA Economic Dimension. He noted that Beijing's consistent focus on facilitating experience-sharing and capacity building significantly strengthens regional resilience. Furthermore, he emphasized that this practical synergy builds solid foundation for Member States to strengthen their shared capabilities in tackling common agricultural issues.
The workshop provided an intensive learning environment, guiding participants through a comprehensive curriculum that spanned the entire food production lifecycle. The training covered the development of food industry policies and standards, advanced technologies for optimizing grain planting, harvesting and storage, as well as modern methods for loss reduction and efficiency improvement in food storage and processing.
As part of the practical program, delegates engaged in high-level field visits to leading scientific platforms, including the National Engineering Research Center for Grain Storage and Transportation and the Grain and Oil Quality Inspection and Testing Center. Through these visits, participants gained practical insights into advanced quality control mechanisms and the deployment of technologies that strengthen food supply chain resilience.
More than 20 participants from CICA Member States, including government officials, researchers, academics, and policymakers from Egypt, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan, shared their experiences during the workshop. Cultural activities organized as part of the program fostered interaction among participants and provided opportunities to learn about the history and culture of Beijing.
