2024-03-02 13:09:45
In a joint event organized by the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels, the initiative “Nourishing the future: Strong alliances for food security and better nutrition” was carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Representatives of the European Union, CELAC, EU institutions, parliamentarians and non-state actors met to discuss strategies in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the region.
FAO Assistant Director-General Mario Lubetkin and Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels Raschad Al-Khafaji led the event, which included the participation of the Minister of Agriculture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and President pro tempore of CELAC, Saboto Caesar. During the meeting, the importance of strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to address food challenges within the framework of the 2030 Agenda was highlighted.
In his speech, Lubetkin highlighted the key role of the European Union as a partner in the transformation of agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. The urgency of complying with the international commitments of the 2030 Agenda was highlighted and the new CELAC 2030 Food and Nutrition Security Plan was mentioned as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration.
The event featured the participation of prominent panelists, such as the Brazilian Ambassador to the EU, Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, and the Vice President of the Monitoring Committee for Latin America of the European Economic and Social Committee, Josep Puxeu Rocamora. In his closing remarks, Lubetkin expressed his desire to maintain an ongoing dialogue to transform agri-food systems in the region.
The meeting concluded with a call to action, highlighting the importance of alliances between Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union to confront food and nutritional challenges, promoting investment, trade and modern technologies to unleash the potential of the region. This event marks a significant step towards effective collaboration in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the region.