The United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM) is a subsidiary body/regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), based in Beijing, P.R. China. Following the host country headquarters agreement signed between the Government of China and the United Nations in November 2003, APCAEM began its operations in 2004. The revised Statute of APCAEM was endorsed by the Governing Council of APCAEM in December 2004 and adopted by the Commission at its sixty-first session in May 2005.

APCAEM is committed to enhancing environmentally sustainable agricultural and food production, applying green and modern agro-technology for the well being of producers and consumers of agricultural/food products.

APCAEM will be guided by the UN Millennium Development Goals, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and other internationally agreed development goals, as well as the resolutions and mandates adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

APCAEM will pursue its missions for our Member States through information exchange and knowledge networking, policy research, technical assistance in capacity building and training, outreach/advocacy programmes, and by fostering partnerships.

The Governing Council of APCAEM has mandated it to focus on three thematic cluster programmes of agricultural engineering, food chain management, and agro-enterprise development & trade.

UNAPCAEM Brochure
UNAPCAEM Flyer (2006,2007)

The Agricultural Engineering cluster programme seeks to apply technological and engineering tools to increase agricultural productivity while contributing to environmentally-sound agricultural production. Our focus areas are:

• Agricultural mechanization
• Clean Development Mechanism and green technology applied to agriculture
• Renewable bio-energy for sustainable rural development
• Conservation Agriculture including soil protection and water conservation
• Recycle of bio-resources for the eco-efficient agricultural sector

 

Food Chain Management

The Food Chain Management cluster programme advocates value-added agricultural products to enhance their market competitiveness through the extension of post-harvest and food processing technology. Our focus areas include:

• Modern post-harvest technology in sorting, grading, packaging and long-term storage
• Cold chain management and integrated logistics
• Food safety and quality assurance
• Marketing and distribution
• Adoption of certification systems and protocols

 

Agro-Enterprise Development and Trade

The Agro-Enterprise Development and Trade cluster programme supports investing in agribusiness (green enterprises) for environmentally-sustainable economic growth based on eco-efficiency and corporate environmental responsibility. Our focus areas include:

• Agribusiness ventures based on agronomic innovations and management
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) using green production and processing technology and SME’s trade
• Organic farming business for the well-being and health of farmers and consumers
• Renewable bioenergy-based, green enterprise development
• International standards on food safety issues in agro-trade

 

Policy Synthesis and Normative Research

Launched in May 2007，the quarterly APCAEM Policy Brief aims to promote knowledge networking and information sharing on key emerging issues related to the three thematic cluster programmes of APCAEM. The Policy Brief also covers the cross-cutting themes in the mandated work programme of the Centre. Practical policy recommendations and advice, strategic directions and action programmes will be offered in the Policy Brief for agricultural policy-makers and other stakeholders on key issues, challenges and opportunities facing the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. In addition, APCAEM will undertake policy synthesis and normative research and studies, linking and applying the major findings and outcomes of the research studies in capacity building and training for developing member countries at the project level.