Forging Global Partnerships for Agrifood Systems Transformation
From June 22 to July 1, 2025, the World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI) partnered with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to convene a high-level China-Brazil business delegation across Brazil. Led by Professor Fu Wenge, Secretary-General of WAFI, the initiative connected government officials, research pioneers, and industry innovators to accelerate low-carbon agricultural transformation - demonstrating WAFI’s significant role as a global collaboration catalyst.

Strengthening Institutional Partnerships
WAFI facilitated strategic dialogues with Brazil’s core agricultural institutions:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA): Secretary Pedro Neto and Special Advisor Carlos Ernesto Augustin hosted in-depth workshops on Brazil’s climate-smart agriculture frameworks, including the ABC Plan and Embrapa’s AgroBrasil+Sustentável digital platform. Notably, Secretary Neto and Special Advisor Augustin undertook almost 60-hour round trip–including a pre-visit to WAFI’s Beijing office–to personally engage with the delegation.

• Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil): Lucas Brandão, Head of Institutional and Government Division I, outlined digital trade platforms to streamline China-Brazil agricultural investments, with discussions focusing on optimizing agricultural investment flows and trade facilitation.

Innovation Ecosystem Engagement
The delegation conducted systematic reviews of Brazil’s agricultural innovation infrastructure:

• Embrapa: Explored sustainable technology applications for key commodities like soybeans with Director Dr. Alexandre Nepomuceno at Brazil’s premier agricultural research organization (46 centers, 7,000+ researchers). A subsequent lab tour showcased AI-driven solutions for tropical agriculture challenges.

• AgroValley (Cocriagro) & AgriHub: Assessed technology transfer models at Londrina’s innovation cluster and Mato Grosso’s AgriHub, identifying collaboration opportunities in fields such as smart irrigation systems.

• Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT): Initiated joint research planning with Professor Sérgio de Paulo’s team.

Industry Partnerships Forged
Strategic dialogues with key associations yielded concrete plans:

• Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), representing over 2 million Brazilian producers, committed to sending high-level representatives to WAFI2025 (October 12-15, Beijing).

• Mato Grosso State Economic Development Secretariat (Sedec) and Brazilian Beef Industry Association (IMAC) established working groups for sustainable value chain development.

Key Achievement: China-Brazil Sustainable Agriculture Forum
Hosted in Cuiabá (Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest agriculture state in Brazil) with WRI, Sedec, Rede Inova, and AgriHub. The event gathered senior officials, research leaders, and agribusiness executives.

During the forum, Secretary-General Fu Wenge formalized partnerships with institutes including AgriHub through signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing frameworks for:

• Technology exchange programs

• Joint research initiatives

• Market access facilitation

The success of the China-Brazil Sustainable Agriculture Forum in Cuiabá marks a significant step in WAFI's growing global reach. To further strengthen ties, WAFI will continue to facilitate bilateral cooperation by bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and academics from both countries.

Path to WAFI2025
This unprecedented delegation–extensively covered by Brazilian media and involving three state governments–demonstrated tangible progress in China-Brazil agricultural cooperation. Beyond sharing expertise in tropical agriculture and low-carbon technologies, the mission established:

• Policy alignment on sustainable transformation

• Technical pathways for digital integration

• Commercial channels for mutual market development

As Professor Fu noted: "The partnerships forged here will energize WAFI2025’s global dialogue on food security and climate resilience." The delegation returns with not only coffee and soy samples, but actionable blueprints for October’s conference.

The World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI2025) will convene global leaders in Beijing from October 12-15, 2025 to advance agrifood systems transformation.