FAO and SICA sign an unprecedented agreement to promote the dry corridor in Central America

2023-06-28 05:34:53

The objective of the initiative is to expand investments and promote solutions that support the countries of this subregion in the transformation of agriculture to adapt it to climate change and improve food security.

Placencia, Belize, June 26, 2023 –

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Central American Integration System (SICA) signed an unprecedented Cooperation Framework Agreement whose main objective is to jointly support the transformation of agri-food systems in the countries of the dry corridor.

This agreement will seek to enhance collaboration and joint efforts between FAO and SICA to promote economic, social, environmental and cultural determinants of food and nutrition security in SICA member countries. In addition, it seeks to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience on issues such as climate change resilient agriculture, sustainable management of natural resources (including water, land, forests and biodiversity), among others.

In this context, the Deputy Director General and Regional Representative of FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin, spoke at the LVII Ordinary Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System, held in Placencia, Belize.

During his speech, Lubetkin highlighted the importance of organizations such as FAO being able to work in coordination with member states and thus work together to address the impact that hunger, malnutrition and poverty have caused in nations.

In addition, the Deputy Director General of FAO highlighted that currently “food security and nutrition have been consolidated as central axes in the development agendas of all regions of the world with very notable actions that demand that we promote greater joint cooperation, through an open and permanent dialogue”.

Along these lines, Lubetkin highlighted the agreement reached between FAO and SICA, ensuring that “this agreement adds cooperation efforts to expand investments and sustainable solutions in the great territory of the Dry Corridor, supporting countries in the transformation of agriculture, to make it more resilient and adapted to climate change and, in turn, generating food and more employment and income opportunities, based on sustainable production systems”.

The FAO, together with various instances of SICA, works in a coordinated manner to guarantee an agricultural sector that not only meets the needs of food production, but also contributes to restoring the integrity of the ecosystem. Together, they develop policies that prioritize forest integrity and implement solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, thus fostering sustainable economic development while ensuring the conservation of carbon stocks and biodiversity. These joint efforts are vital steps to reduce climate vulnerability in the SICA region.

The FAO-SICA agreement serves as a model for regional cooperation and demonstrates the collective strength and commitment of the participating organizations to address the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector and the environment in the SICA region.

The scene after the crisis

Latin America and the Caribbean has suffered the impact of a series of successive crises that have led to an increase in hunger and malnutrition in all its forms. The region’s income inequality, climate change and a widespread economic crisis have been major factors in this situation.

Food insecurity in the region increased by almost 100 million people and the number of people suffering from hunger went from 43.3 million to 56.5 million between 2019 and 2021.

In SICA member countries, there was evidence of growth from 7.2 to 7.5 million people, values ​​recorded 20 years ago, also an impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.