On July 15, 2026, the Seminar on the Development of Industries related to "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic" (BASP) Initiative for Member States of the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), hosted by the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR), officially opened in Beijing. H.E.Mr. Miguel Lecaro, Representative of the INBAR Council Chair and the Ambassador of Panama to China; Mr. Xu Qiangxing, Deputy Director General of the ‌Department of International Cooperation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China; and Ms. Li Xiaohua, Deputy Director General of ICBR, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. 43 participants from 8 countries—the Gambia, Indonesia, Laos, Liberia, Moldova, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa—are attending the seminar.

In her remarks, Li Xiaohua stated that the seminar aims to advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, share scientific and technological innovations in the bamboo and rattan sector, and help participants gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamic development of China's bamboo industry. The seminar seeks to promote practical cooperation and contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

H.E.Mr. Miguel Lecaro noted that since 2022, the Chinese government and INBAR have actively promoted the BASP initiative. He described the training programme as an important platform for bridging gaps in knowledge, skills, capacity, resources, technology, and policy, and said that INBAR is working closely with member states to build a sustainable and inclusive future.

Xu Qiangxing said that the seminar represents a concrete practice in implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative, deepening South-South cooperation, advancing the BASP initiative, and promoting exchanges and cooperation among developing countries in forestry, grassland, bamboo, and rattan.

The 14-day seminar will take participants to Beijing and Fujian, where they will systematically learn about China's advanced technologies and experience in bamboo and rattan resource cultivation, processing and utilization, BASP-related innovation, and industrial development through thematic lectures, field visits, and cultural experiences. The seminar aims to provide scientific, technological, and talent support for the implementation of the BASP initiative and the sustainable development of the global bamboo and rattan sector.