IDF President Piercristiano Brazzale (first, left) and Secretary-General Caroline Emond (far, right) announce that an executive from Yili has been elected to the IDF board. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese dairy giant Yili Group – based in Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous group – has secured significant international recognition, in the wake of one of its corporate leaders being elected to the board of the International Dairy Federation.

The IDF – based in the city of Brussels in Belgium – represents the global dairy sector and ensures the best scientific expertise is used to support high-quality milk.

In an event held on Oct 15 in the city of Chicago in the US, the board of the IDF convened on the eve of the 2023 World Dairy Summit. Representatives from over 30 countries gathered and unanimously voted in favor of a resolution, announcing the election of Yun Zhanyou, vice-president of the Yili Group, as a board member of the IDF.

Yun becomes the only member from China on the board of the IDF.

Piercristiano Brazzale delivers a speech. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the future, Yili will represent the Chinese and emerging dairy industries on the IDF to actively participate in the global governance system, drive global industry policy-making, promote win-win cooperation and sustainable development – and open up a new chapter of dialogue and collaboration between the Chinese dairy industry and the global sector.

Established in 1903 at the first International Dairy Congress, the IDF is an international dairy association with a history of over a century.

Currently, the federation has 39 member countries, accounting for 74 percent of global milk production.

The IDF board comprises representatives from the federation itself, industry associations of member countries and global dairy enterprises - with only two to three seats designated for corporate representatives.

It serves as a crucial research, decision-making and coordination body for the global dairy industry.