Latin America and the Caribbean commit to eradicating hunger and poverty

The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean They committed this Thursday to eradicate hunger, poverty and structural inequalities in order to guarantee the right to adequate food, without leaving anyone behind.

That is one of the main conclusions of the 38th Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which was held in Guyana between Monday and Thursday.

The regional countries also expressed in their document their solidarity with Haiti for the deterioration of the humanitarian situation that compromises food and nutritional security, as well as the livelihood of its population.

They also recognized the unique conditions and specific vulnerabilities that Small Island Developing States face due to climate change, as well as the dependence on imported foods that compromise their food and nutritional security.

In addition, they highlighted the importance of reinforcing financial assistance with the mobilization of resources to support the resilience and sustainability of agri-food systems in South America, especially in vulnerable ecosystems in the face of the impacts of the climate crisis, the loss of biodiversity and the food insecurity.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu congratulated the countries present for “the hard work” that they have done in these days of conference and for “the success of the conclusions.”

“These are very timely conclusions and decisions, especially for this region, they are going to make a difference,” he stressed. He also noted that he has seen “a great sense of unity in the region around a shared version to achieve a better future for all.”

He also praised the adoption of FAO’s four priorities and lines of action: efficient, inclusive and sustainable production; food security and nutrition; sustainable management of natural resources and adaptation to climate change; and reduction of inequalities, poverty and promotion of resilience.

“We must continue the fight against inequality, foster more resilience in communities and prepare to respond in a timely manner to the impacts of the climate crisis”, he claimed.

Qu recalled that Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the regions that produces the most food, but has quite high rates of poverty and malnutrition. Today, 43 million people still suffer from hunger.

“These are challenges that we have to face hand in hand with you to achieve a more inclusive world, a more equitable development, closing the gaps between the poor and the rich, between small-scale and large-scale farmers”he indicated.

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