FAO in Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize

Jamaica has been a member of FAO since 1963, and a FAO Representative has been stationed in Kinston since 1979. Later that same year the FAO Representation in Jamaica was also accredited to the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. In December 1994 the mandate of the Representation was broadened to include the Government of Belize.

All three countries have a range of natural resources which can be managed to provide income from agricultural production and eco-tourism. Jamaica and the Bahamas share the unique problems of Small Island Developing States, or SIDS, and are increasingly threatened by natural disasters and sudden changes in meteorological and economic climates.

Additionally all three have felt the impact of recent geopolitical and economic changes. The growth of blocs such as the North American Free Trade Area has deprived them of leverage in the marketing of products such as sugar, coffee, and bananas, while leaving them vulnerable to global recession.

The countries were hard hit as a result of the economic downturn in the United States following September 11, 2001. In addition, the recession in the US reduced remittances, and increased security restrictions have affected emigration to the US.

The mandate of FAO in all three countries is to support national efforts to promote food security and sustainable development. Recently FAO has begun to focus on semi-urban and urban populations as the rural-urban drift continues to be a major challenge.

The Organization discharges its many functions through the offering of technical assistance in the form of project requests made by or through the Governments.

Click here for a list of FAO Representatives in Jamaica