GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha will chair a task force established to accelerate the implementation of recommendations adopted at the United Nations Food and Organization (FAO) 38th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC38), which ended here on Thursday.
Mustapha will also serve as LARC’s chairman for the following two conferences.
The regional conference, attended by representatives from 33 countries, discussed challenges and top priorities in food and agriculture, aimed at fostering regional coherence in global policies.
Speaking at a news conference at the end of the four-day conference, Mustapha told reporters that the outcomes from the event will be essential in promoting sustainable agricultural growth and food security in Latin America and the Caribbean.
He said that the task force’s first meeting is expected to take place in May in Chile, where the recommendations will be further examined. Guyana is dedicated to collaborating with its regional partners to implement the conference’s proposals.
“Over the past four days, we have witnessed remarkable discussions, collaborations, and insights that have undoubtedly enriched our collective understanding and efforts. Throughout this conference, we have delved into critical issues affecting our Region, from advancing fisheries and aquaculture towards sustainability under the Blue Transformation approach… reducing hunger and malnutrition for today and tomorrow through trade as a strategic driver of food security in the region”.
He said the meeting also discussed agri-food systems transformation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Latin America and the Caribbean, the challenges of the water–forest biodiversity–soil nexus in a climate change context, and foresight drivers and triggers relevant to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Delegates were reported to have identified many key areas to advance efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger while boosting nations’ ability to attract targeted investments through implementing the Hand in Hand Initiative, launched in 2019 by the FAO.
It supports the implementation of nationally led, ambitious programs to accelerate agrifood systems transformations by eradicating poverty (SDG1), ending hunger and malnutrition (SDG2), and reducing inequalities (SDG10).
It uses advanced geospatial modeling and analytics, as well as a robust partnership-building approach, to accelerate the market-based transformation of agrifood systems, raising incomes, improving the nutritional status and well-being of poor and vulnerable populations, and strengthening resilience to climate change.
The Initiative prioritizes countries and territories where poverty and hunger are highest, national capacities are limited, or operational difficulties are most significant due to natural or artificial crises. Areas of intervention have included:
- Developing value chains for priority commodities.
- Building agro-industries and efficient water management systems.
- Introducing digital services and precision agriculture.
- Reducing food losses and waste.
- Addressing climate challenges and weather risks.
Meanwhile, Mario Lubetkin, FAO’s Deputy Director General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the conference focused primarily on achieving food security.
He also disclosed that countries had approved the regional priorities for transforming agri-food systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
“In line with the FAO’s Strategic Framework and the commitment to supporting the 2030 Agenda, countries approved the regional priorities to transform the agri-food systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. These priorities are interconnected and ensure that no one is left behind,” he added.
Members also acknowledged the critical need to strengthen Caribbean resilience, focusing on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in light of the numerous shocks and hazards they confront, especially the growing danger posed by climate change.
Further, Lubetkin said the meeting also discussed issues relating to the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) 25 by 2025 food security agenda, aimed at reducing the Region’s large food import bill by 25 percent by 2025.
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