The 2026 Conference on Animal Welfare in the Sustainable Agri-Food Systems opened on October 15 at the Jinhai Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center in Beijing's Pinggu District. As the only recurring conference in China held under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and focused on animal welfare and sustainable agri-food systems, the event now has a permanent home at Pinggu Agricultural Zhongguancun (AGRIZGC). This year's conference, which is based on the theme of "Empowering Supply Chain Upgrades Through Animal Welfare, Energizing New Agri-Food Consumption Through Sustainability", features discussions at various levels on the transition towards greener, healthier agri-food systems, innovative animal welfare practices, global supply chain cooperation, and international agricultural trade and economic cooperation. The conference also saw the release of several industry research findings and the signing of a series of industry cooperation agreements.

Botswana has been designated this year's featured country, creating a new platform for exchanges between China and Africa in the agri-food sector. At the opening ceremony and the "Botswana Night — Botswana-China Agriculture Investment Cooperation & Promotion Event", Botswana's Minister of Lands and Agriculture and an accompanying delegation presented the country's agricultural resources and development strategy while exploring opportunities for cooperation in several areas. Pinggu District and Chobe District of the Republic of Botswana also signed a sister-town agreement, marking a new chapter in regular agricultural cooperation between the two districts.

During the conference, Chinese and international experts and scholars, foreign diplomats stationed in China, and business representatives discussed agri-food system development, market trends and industry practices, creating a channel linking international policy, overseas markets and China's agricultural and livestock industries.

The conference also featured multiple parallel forums, focusing on standards development, technology commercialization, market matchmaking and branding, among other areas. The forums aimed to turn shared commitments to animal welfare and sustainable agri-food systems into practical action across the industry.

The conference released three standards: Animal Welfare Requirements for Farm Animals — Dairy Cattle; Animal Welfare Requirements for Farm Animals — Donkeys; and Animal Welfare Requirements for Farm Animals — Large Yellow Croaker. Animal welfare certificates were also awarded. The conference also launched an international donkey welfare improvement project and released the 2026 Recommended Purchasing List for Animal Welfare Products and the 2025 China Black Pig Industry Development Report. The conference also saw the signing of agreements on sustainable agri-food supply chain development, cage-free broiler chicken production targets, and pilot initiatives for broiler and layer chicken welfare.

(Source: CRI Online)