NewsINBAR Headquarters welcomes high-level delegation from Uruguay
Close collaboration between INBAR and Uruguay set to play a “pivotal role” in advancing the country’s sustainable development goals and mitigating plastic pollution.
On 12 May 2025, Prof. Jiang Zehui, Co-Chair of the INBAR Board of Trustees, held an official meeting with H.E. Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, at INBAR’s headquarters in Beijing. During the meeting, the two parties engaged in constructive and friendly discussions concerning the enhancement of international exchanges and cooperation in the bamboo and rattan sectors.
Jiang extended a warm welcome to Lubetkin and his delegation during their visit to INBAR, and provided an overview of INBAR’s development as well as its history of friendly cooperation with Uruguay. Jiang mentioned that INBAR serves as a key platform for South-South cooperation, facilitating collaboration between China and Latin America, while supporting the bamboo industry in Latin American countries through scientific research, technology transfer and knowledge exchange. Since 2022, INBAR has deepened its partnership with Uruguay, with both parties engaging in multiple high-level reciprocal visits, laying the foundation for Uruguay’s accession to INBAR.
Jiang stated that INBAR and the Chinese government jointly launched the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic (BASP) Initiative in 2022. Currently, INBAR is actively cooperating with multilateral international organizations to implement this initiative, including conducting research and demonstration projects on key technologies for the BASP Initiative in pilot Member States, developing and innovating BASP products and their applications, and collectively addressing the global challenge of plastic pollution. Uruguay has consistently played a leading role in formulating the plastic pollution convention. INBAR looks forward to strengthening cooperation with the new Uruguayan government, encompassing joint participation in UN multilateral forums, co-fundraising for the development and implementation of demonstration projects, conducting field research and capacity building.
Lubetkin expressed his delight at Uruguay becoming the 51st Member State of INBAR in 2024. Uruguay attaches significant importance to the development of the bamboo and rattan industries as well as the management of plastic pollution. The new government will continue to foster amicable cooperation with INBAR and is committed to collaborating closely with the organization to promote the sustainable development of bamboo and rattan industries in Uruguay and across the Latin America and Caribbean region. The BASP Initiative jointly proposed by INBAR and the Chinese government has broad prospects, and Uruguay is eager to actively support this initiative. In addition to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, more ministries in Uruguay will also engage with the BASP Initiative, contributing to its green development from economic, social and cultural angles. He anticipates deeper collaboration between Uruguay and INBAR and believes that such cooperation will play a pivotal role in advancing the country’s bamboo industry, ultimately strengthening the sustainable development of Uruguay’s society, economy and environment.
H.E. Fernando Lugris, Ambassador of Uruguay; H.E. Aníbal Cabral, Director General of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay; and Director of External Relations and Partnerships of INBAR, Ms. Li Lan, attended the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, the delegation visited the bamboo and rattan exhibition hall to see firsthand the diverse range of products that can be made with bamboo and rattan.
