Since 2006, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) as the national academy of agricultural research has launched the “Global Forum for Leaders of Agricultural Science & Technology (GLAST)”, together with FAO and CGIAR. GLAST aims to gather leaders for agricultural science and technology of countries, international organizations and the private sectors, to share experience and study coping measures on major issues that hinge on the development of global agricultural science and technology. GLAST represents a practical endeavor to establish a shared community of agricultural science and technology innovation for cooperation and win-win outcome. After decades of development, GLAST has become an important platform for the international community to pursue win-win development and provided a crucial Chinese pillar for the global landscape of deliberations on issues of food and agriculture.

Since 2006, GLAST has completed five sessions, with the following themes: Agricultural Science: Challenges and Outlook, Modern Agriculture and the Development of New Countryside, Food Security, Agricultural Technology Transfer and Industrial Development, Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the Reduction of Hunger and Poverty. These themes have not only responded to issues of global attention, but also reflected China’s practical problems. The convocation of the meeting and the meeting declarations have won extensive attention and recognition of the global community of agricultural science and technology.

In November 2019, CAAS will host the 6th GLAST. The selections of theme for the 6th session give full consideration to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and focus on common challenges and responsibilities of the whole world. The theme shall also reflect China’s latest policies of agriculture and rural areas and tasks of poverty eradication and echo the important targets of agricultural development of countries. The theme of this year's GLAST is Science and Technology for Green Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas.The 6th GLAST will gather global leaders for agricultural science and technology, discuss new thinking and measures for agricultural science and technology innovation to promote the transformation of models of agricultural development, and add new dynamisms to global quality, effective, green and sustainable agricultural development and food security.