39th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and Caribbean – by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

The 39th Regional Conference is a space for high-level technical and political dialogue on the progress and challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean in combating both hunger and malnutrition. The Session will include a Senior Officers Meeting on 2–3 March, followed by the Ministerial Meeting from 4–6 March, in Brasília, Brazil.

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference is an official forum where the Member States of the Latin America and the Caribbean region meet to discuss the priority challenges and issues related to food and agriculture, with the aim of promoting regional coherence on global policy matters. These Regional Conference is essential to ensuring the effectiveness of FAO’s work in serving its Member States, as well as defining priority areas of work for each biennium.

At this Regional Conference outlined will be the FAO’s lines of work under four Regional Priorities, reflecting the Four Betters of the Organization’s Strategic Framework—four interconnected dimensions that contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems:

  • Regional Priority 1: Efficient, inclusive and sustainable production. (Better production)
  • Regional Priority 2: Ending hunger and achieving food security and nutrition. (Better nutrition)
  • Regional Priority 3: Sustainable management of natural resources and climate change adaptation. (Better environment)
  • Regional Priority 4: Reducing inequalities and poverty and promoting resilience. (Better life)

Government officials from the members states participating will including Heads of State, Ministers of Agriculture and Ministers from other sectors, specialized agencies and entities of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, private-sector organizations, academia and research institutions, parliamentarians, observers and non-member states.

In addition, the high-level political discussions on agrifood systems taking place during the Regional Conference have drawn the attention of institutions that have recently partnered with FAO’s work in the region, including regional and international development banks and international financial institutions.

Representing Antigua and Barbuda at both meetings is Mr. Walter Christopher/Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.