Outcomes of the Sustainability Forum at the 2026 World Dairy Summit

On August 2, 2026, a forum organized by Yili Group was held as part of the World Dairy Conference. The event brought together representatives of international organizations and key dairy industry enterprises to discuss the transformation of the industry and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

During the conference, the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) officially designated Hohhot as the global capital of the dairy industry. Pan Gang, Chairman and President of Yili Group, who attended the ceremony, noted the company's role in the city's development, which progressed from being the dairy capital of China in 2005 to a global hub for the sector by 2026.

Regarding environmental issues, Yili Group is implementing a strategy for the dual accounting of carbon and water footprints. To reduce emissions across production chains, the company initiated the creation of the Zero Carbon Alliance and the Low Water Footprint Initiative Alliance. Furthermore, in partnership with Lenovo and Tencent, an initiative was launched aimed at integrating social and commercial business goals. At the end of 2025, Yili's experience in decarbonization was included in China's report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Dominic Visser, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), emphasized the importance of the dairy sector for ensuring global food security. According to him, the industry is facing the consequences of climate change and uneven development. To address these challenges, it is necessary to consolidate the efforts of all participants in the production chain. FAO plans to continue supporting countries in achieving sustainable development goals through the exchange of experience and technical cooperation.