The highly anticipated 1^st Global Summit on Sustainable Agriculture (GSSA) began on July 1, 2024, in Singapore. The Summit offers a great chance for elites and professionals in the international agricultural community to have fruitful conversations on the growth of sustainable agriculture.

It was a joint endeavor between the World Peasant Association (WPA) and the Global Peasant Organization (GPO), with the kind support of the WPA's Sustainable Development Committee and China Agriculture Cooperation Association (CACA). Its goal was to bring together the collective wisdom of the global agricultural community to explore ways of promoting sustainable agriculture and usher in a new era of green agriculture. It was a pleasure to have ambassadors and senior diplomats from over 40 nations, including Rwanda, Peru, Norway, Timor-Leste, Laos, and Australia. They graciously offered their knowledge and expertise in sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Sun Xi, Secretary General of GSSA and Vice President of the WPA Sustainable Development Committee, spoke at the opening ceremony and encouraged his peers to think about working together to advance the growth of green agriculture. During his speech, WPA’s Secretary General Zhang Qi expressed his wishes for the future and gave a reflection on WPA’s accomplishments in advancing sustainable agriculture. He also discussed the upcoming 3^rd Global Peasant Forum, which will be held in Cyprus, and expressed his hope that it will help boost the sustainable growth of global agriculture.

At the Summit, representatives from several countries shared thoughts on green agriculture. Mr. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, High Commissioner from the High Commission of Rwanda to Singapore, talked about how important agriculture in Africa is for the world’s food security. Mr. Francisco Tenya Hasegawa, Ambassador from the Embassy of Peru, provided insights on Peru’s efforts to look into and carry out sustainable agriculture practices. Mr. Eivind S. Homme, Ambassador of Norway in Singapore, discussed Norway’s latest progress and challenges in sustainable agriculture. Mr. Alex Tilman, Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Singapore, delivered an informative review of the current situation and future prognosis for Timor-Leste agriculture, bluntly highlighting the problems that lie ahead.

Mr. Sengkeo Pouangpadith, Ambassador of Laos to Singapore, took the opportunity to present the basic situation of agriculture in Laos and emphasized the government’s and international partners’ efforts to promote sustainable agricultural growth. Ms. Emily Follett, Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission, addressed Australia’s strengths and experiences with agricultural sustainability. She emphasized the importance of scientific management of land and water resources, biodiversity conservation, and environmental impact reduction for agriculture's long-term sustainability. Sharing these experiences not only gives significant ideas for the global agricultural community but also emphasizes governments' commitment and efforts to support sustainable agricultural growth.

The Summit also featured a grand award ceremony. WPA’s Executive Director Shi Yazheng and Secretary General Zhang Qi, presented GSSA souvenirs to those who have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of global sustainable agriculture.  

H.E. Mr. George Yeo, Singapore’s former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Industry, Health, and Information & Arts, also attended the Summit as a special guest. He placed great emphasis on the importance of agriculture and sustainable development. The idling of land in Singapore during the pandemic prompts him to reflect deeply on the value of agriculture. He noted that, considering the critical role that agriculture plays in supporting nations, the global focus on sustainable agricultural growth should not be exclusively dependent on international commerce. Not only does agriculture provide food for humans, but it also advances science, technology, and culture. Simultaneously, he conveyed optimism about the ongoing GSSA event, which he believed would improve life quality and productivity.

Furthermore, Singapore’s Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo Chee Hean, and ASEAN Secretary General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, sent letters of congratulations prior to the Summit.

Among the companies that were instrumental in the success of the summit were China Southern Airlines, Bank of China, Farmony (Shanghai) Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., and Trinasolar, a leader in photovoltaic technology worldwide. The success of the summit was further aided by the services of the Singapore Tourist Board and the exquisite conference space that City Developments Limited offered.

GSSA’s fruitful gathering heralded the beginning of a green agricultural revolution. Given the challenges posed by global resource restrictions and climate change, it is becoming obvious that sustainable agricultural development is a top priority. The summit provides a platform for global agricultural leaders to explore new green agriculture opportunities and plan a course for a future of green, profitable, and sustainable growth. The GSSA Summit is not simply an annual event, but also a platform for worldwide agricultural partnerships. In the future, it will move throughout the world, linking agricultural professionals from other countries to enhance green agriculture and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals.