The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Director-General, QU Dongyu, underscored the critical importance of prioritizing the protection of the most vulnerable, reducing inequalities, improving food security and nutrition, and increasing market access in Latin America and the Caribbean. These objectives were highlighted during the Ministerial Session of the 38th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Region's Potential and Challenges
Dongyu emphasized the immense potential of the region to accelerate progress, leveraging its significant share of global biodiversity and water resources, and its contribution of 13 percent to global food production and 45 percent to net international trade in agrifood products. However, despite being a net food exporter, the region's reliance on commodity imports and exports exposes its agrifood systems to macroeconomic volatility, global geopolitical instability, and climate change. These factors can negatively impact food prices, incomes, and ultimately, food security and nutrition outcomes.
Current Undernourishment Trends
Recent estimates from FAO indicate a persistent challenge of undernourishment in the region, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been progress with a decrease in undernourishment from 7.0 percent in 2021 to 6.5 percent in 2022, notably resulting in 2.4 million fewer people suffering from hunger, disparities exist among sub-regions. South America experienced a decrease in undernourishment, while Mesoamerica witnessed stagnation and the Caribbean region saw an increase in undernourishment from 14.7 percent to 16.3 percent.
Call for Resilient Agrifood Systems
Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, emphasized the necessity of creating resilient and climate-protected agrifood systems, advocating for data-driven decision-making and a greater focus on nutrition. He urged a shift towards prioritizing local food production for improved food security.
Collaborative Efforts and Multilateral Approaches
FAO's Director-General urged countries to share best practices and collaborate to set tangible targets for transforming agrifood systems. Highlighting the upcoming G20 Summit under the Presidency of Brazil, Dongyu emphasized FAO's support for initiatives such as the G20 Task Force for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Additionally, he noted the importance of the new Food Security, Nutrition, and Hunger Eradication Plan of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) in addressing regional challenges through integration.
The Regional Conference features Ministerial Roundtables and special events focused on advancing fisheries and aquaculture, leveraging trade to reduce hunger and malnutrition, and addressing challenges related to water, forests, biodiversity, and soil in the context of climate change. Discussions also center on FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-31, emphasizing better production, nutrition, environment, and life, with a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.
