Yili Group Leads Global Innovation and Sustainability Efforts at 2026 World Dairy Conference

The 2026 World Dairy Conference officially kicked off on August 1 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, hosted by Yili Group. The theme for this prestigious event was "Technology-driven, Partnership-oriented, Building a Sustainable Global Dairy Ecosystem Together". This gathering saw the participation of prominent representatives from international dairy organizations, renowned scientists, and top business leaders across the global dairy value chain.

Hohhot Recognized as the Global Dairy Capital

During the opening ceremony, the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) awarded Hohhot the title of "World Dairy Capital". In her speech, Dr. Pavinee Chinachoti, the Executive President of IUFoST, highlighted that this accolade recognizes Hohhot's consistent efforts in promoting dairy development. She stated that this recognition is expected to inspire leading companies like Yili Group to further advance the global healthy food industry and accelerate the shift towards a future characterized by technological leadership and collaborative success.

Shared Value and Mutual Harmony

Yili Group's Chairman and President, Pan Gang, delivered a keynote address titled "Shared Value, Mutual Harmony, Building a New Global Dairy Ecosystem". He discussed the various global challenges, including rapid technological advancements, supply chain restructurings, climate change, and evolving consumer demands. Pan Gang articulated Yili's strategic vision, emphasizing that the role of a glass of milk extends beyond nourishment; it aims to realize the concept of "World Integrally Sharing Health".

He emphasized that true innovation is not isolated but is a collective endeavor. Yili is committed to harnessing global expertise in the dairy sector to create a robust innovation network. Regarding digital transformation, he referred to digital intelligence as an orchestrated effort throughout the entire value chain, rather than a solitary act. To this end, Yili is advancing toward both vertical and horizontal integration to build a digitally intelligent ecosystem across the dairy value chain. He concluded his address by inviting partners worldwide to embark on a shared journey toward value creation and mutual harmony, harnessing the power of the dairy industry to enhance human health and promote global well-being.

Showcasing Groundbreaking Innovations

The opening ceremony also marked the official launch of the "China (Global) Dairy Data Intelligent Hub" and the "Global Dairy High-Quality Datasets Factory". Moreover, the National Center for Technological Innovation in Dairy (NTICD) presented its top ten innovative achievements for the year 2026. These innovations span crucial areas such as dairy cow breeding, feed reduction and substitution technologies, probiotic strains for breast milk research, large-scale lactoferrin production, intelligent end-to-end testing systems, and high-quality packaging recycling.

These advanced technologies reflect a strong commitment to fostering a high-quality and sustainable development trajectory for the global dairy industry. As Yili Group continues to champion innovation and collaboration, the implications for sustainable practices and improved product quality in the dairy sector become increasingly significant, setting a benchmark for future industry initiatives.