Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan ambassador to China gives an interview  at the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste in Jinan, capital of Shandong province on Sept 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I think it is very timely that Jinan and Shandong are organizing this international conference," said Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan ambassador to China, during an interview at the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste held in Jinan on Sept 10.

Governments around world can contribute with their ideas and their aspirations to overcome the serious issue of reducing food loss and waste, he added.

The International Conference on Food Loss and Waste provides a platform for countries to share their experiences in food loss and waste, and calls for concrete actions to reduce food loss and waste, and promote global food security.

Fernando mentioned one of the issues to which every government around the world has to attach importance is how to ensure food security and how to work in a more efficient manner to protect human health. The ambassador said he hopes conference attendees go home with common consensus and ideas on reducing food loss and waste.

At present, Uruguay is looking forward to more cooperation with Jinan city and East China's Shandong province. The country has introduced provinces and cities from Uruguay to match and is trying to have sister city arrangements in the very near future.