Agricultural trilateral cooperation: A case study of the FAO + China + host country model

Abstract

Trilateral cooperation, especially on the model of “traditional donors (including developed countries and multilateral development agencies) + emerging donors + developing countries,” has become a bridge linking South-North cooperation and South-South cooperation. This trilateral cooperation model can also contribute to improving the effectiveness of international aid and constructing new global development partnerships. China is actively involved in trilateral cooperation, working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to promote agricultural development in developing countries. The model of “FAO + China + host countries” has built up a mature system and mechanism to promote agricultural cooperation through dispatching Chinese agricultural experts and benefiting from FAO’s administrative platform. The model offers agricultural technology and piloting programs at local level, such as districts and villages in developing countries. Over the past decades, China’s role has been transformed from technology provider to funding, technology and administration provider, and the Trust Fund model piloted by China has extended the financing, participation of emerging donors, and accountability of host countries in international development cooperation.