Through Friday, April 1, ministers and other officials from the 33 countries of Latin America will seek solutions to tackle the most complex agri-food scenario in recent decades: the impact of climate change on agriculture and the accelerated rise in food and fertilizer prices . , exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
The appointment will be key to analyzing the current panorama as a quarter of the regional population lives in conditions of food insecurity while the Covid-19 pandemic has left 22 million people in poverty in just one year, forcing them to Buy food of poorer quality due to the drop in income.
“We are facing a perfect storm, which is why the FAO has declared that there is a need to transform the agri-food system. This is essential to get out of the crisis,” said FAO regional representative Julio Berdegué.
Latin America and the Caribbean’s emergence from this difficult situation is important beyond its borders, as its agriculture produces enough food – measured in calories – for 1.3 billion people and it is also the world’s largest net exporter of food. he specifies.
According to Berdegué, the FAO conference comes at the right time for countries to share innovations, make agreements and take decisive steps to strengthen their agri-food systems.
What is happening in this region affects the whole world, which is why the steps taken at this meeting to improve the production, nutrition, environment and life of Latin Americans will have an impact on the future of the world and will pave the way for others to follow, explained Berdegue.
One of the key issues that FAO member countries will discuss is the Strategic Framework 2023-2031, which will guide the organization’s actions, adapted to the conditions and priorities of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Its purpose is to promote better production, nutrition, environment and life without leaving anyone behind. For this reason, the event’s agenda includes dedicated sessions dedicated to each of these four aspects, so that countries can share their innovations, visions and experiences.
The Strategic Framework 2023-2031 also puts a strong focus on digitalisation, technology and innovation as tools to work towards the four improvements.
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