World Dairy Industry Conference advances global cooperation for sustainable growth

The opening ceremony for the 2026 World Dairy Industry Conference is held in Hohhot on Aug 1. [Photo/Inner Mongolia News Network]

The 2026 World Dairy Industry Conference, themed "Technology Driven, Partnership Oriented, and Co-building a Sustainable Global Dairy Ecosystem", opened in Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Aug 1.

Co-hosted by China's dairy giants Yili Group and Mengniu Group, the conference brought together representatives from industry organizations, research institutions, and leading dairy enterprises worldwide to discuss innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation in the dairy sector.

A series of major initiatives were launched during the opening ceremony, including the China (Global) Dairy Data Intelligent Hub and the Global Dairy High-Quality Datasets Factory. These projects aim to build an industry-wide data platform by utilizing cloud computing and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and drive digital transformation across the dairy supply chain.

Two key publications were also released: the Green Pioneer Initiative and the Global Breast Milk Research White Paper. The Green Pioneer Initiative seeks to establish a collaborative green supply chain system by working with upstream and downstream partners, international certification bodies, and research institutions, while developing standards to accelerate the industry's low-carbon transition.

The white paper provides an authoritative reference for global breast milk research, showcases China's latest scientific achievements, and supports the country's participation in shaping international dairy standards.

The conference also unveiled the China National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy's Top 10 Innovation Achievements of 2026. Covering areas such as dairy cattle breeding, alternative feed technologies, breast milk probiotics, large-scale lactoferrin production, intelligent inspection equipment, and packaging recycling, with several innovations being world-first or national-first breakthroughs.

During the opening ceremony, the International Union of Food Science and Technology awarded Hohhot a plaque and trophy, designating it as the "World Dairy Capital". This achievement signifies a significant milestone in the city's international growth, showcasing its transition from China's "Dairy Capital" to a globally acknowledged dairy center.

The conference also featured technical forums, industry standards exchanges, and industry-academia-research matchmaking events to explore practical pathways for the sustainable and high-quality development of the global dairy industry.