On a recent mission to Guatemala, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reinforced its commitment to strengthening the country’s agrifood systems through the FAO Global Roadmap. This effort is designed to guide agrifood system transformation that ensure food security and good nutrition worldwide, while also supporting and benefiting from climate actions. 

In this context, Guatemala’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, Maynor Estrada, FAO’s Director of the Agrifood Economics and Policies Division (ESA), David Laborde, and key representatives from the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security (SESAN) convened to assess the current state of the national agrifood systems and identify shared pathways for sustainable growth.   

Discussions emphasized the need for a coordinated action and an evidence-based framework such as the FAO Global Roadmap to maximise impact. 

Representatives from FAO and Guatemala's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
Photo credit: @MAGAGuatemala

Demonstrating FAO’s capacity to create synergies and support countries at scale, the FAO Common Country Analysis support mechanism was part of the mission, with Global Coordinator Monica Schuster and several ESA colleagues contributing to the effort. This mechanism provides targeted analysis to help countries navigate specific policy decisions, operationalizing the FAO Global Roadmap framework. 

A Global Roadmap for agrifood systems transformation

Within the framework of the FAO Global Roadmap, a workshop held on 18-19 March, brought together government officials from the Ministery of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), SESAN, as well as prominent private sector representatives, sustainable development experts, academics, community leaders, and FAO representatives. The aim was to present the FAO Global Roadmap and tailor it to Guatemala’s specific needs and priorities.

“We have engaged in high-level discussions to explore how FAO can support the development of a roadmap for agrifood systems, which the Government of Guatemala will present this year in Ethiopia during the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) that focuses on this issue,” explained FAO's policy officer Marco Moncayo.

Marco Moncayo, FAO's Policy Officer

In addition to introducing the FAO Global Roadmap as a flexible and robust tool that integrates food security and climate action, the workshop facilitated constructive dialogue among key stakeholders to drive the implementation of effective and sustainable policies. The sessions also identified priority actions to develop targeted strategies for addressing national agricultural challenges.

Throughout the two days, debates focused on reviewing existing policies and identifying new approaches for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture; examining knowledge gaps and strengthening the scientific foundation for sustainable agricultural transitions. 

 High-level panel discussion during the workshop

Reflecting on the workshop’s impact, David Laborde emphasized the importance of bridging theory and practice: “The workshop in Guatemala was a valuable opportunity to identify key gaps in implementation, to understand why solutions that work in theory often fall short of driving lasting transformation in the field.

He further added, "These participatory processes are essential to shaping actions that are grounded in reality and capable of delivering meaningful, sustained impact.” 

Additionally, participants evaluated the financial feasibility of proposed initiatives and worked on developing economic models to ensure long-term sustainability. In this regard, FAO’s Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative has been supporting Guatemala in developing targeted, evidence-based agrifood investment cases aimed at eliminating poverty, ending hunger and reducing inequalities. The initiative's tools and approaches have been integrated into their national planning, advancing two key national priorities. 

The way forward

FAO Global Roadmap seeks to strengthen food security in Guatemala through evidence-based strategies and partnerships with international organizations, private sector, civil society, and local communities.

This collaboration between FAO and Guatemala aims to reduce malnutrition, improve access to healthy diets, and promote sustainable agriculture. Moreover, it enhances capacities, fosters knowledge exchange, and paves the way for resilient agrifood systems.   

Through initiatives like the Global Roadmap, FAO upholds its pledge to building inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems, ensuring that every citizen, in Guatemala and beyond, has access to good food, today and tomorrow.