Regional Launch of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022

In 2017, the 72nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), with the FAO serving as the lead agency, in collaboration with other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system.   IYAFA 2022 will be an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture, including women and youth.

The celebration of IYAFA 2022 will be an acknowledgement of the highly varied nature of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture and the many different actors that take part in them, as well as the major contribution that both make to global food security, nutrition and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Promoting constructive interaction between the different stakeholders of the small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sectors is crucial to their sustainability. Recognizing this, IYAFA 2022 will serve as a platform to strengthen partnerships all over the world. It is also an important opportunity to advance the implementation of relevant normative instruments, such as the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication.

 The objectives of IYAFA 2022 are to:

• Enhance global awareness about, understanding of, and action to support the contribution of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to sustainable development, and more specifically in relation to food security and nutrition, poverty eradication and the use of natural resources. 
• Promote dialogue and collaboration between and among small-scale artisanal fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, governments, and other key partners along the value chain, as well as to further strengthen their capacity to enhance sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture and to enhance their social development and well-being.

Purpose of the launch 

The regional launch is an opportunity to inform about the goals and objectives of IYAFA 2022 and contextualize them to the Latin American and Caribbean region, inspiring action-oriented celebrations across the continent throughout 2022.

Agenda

OPENING SESSION
	IYAFA Video for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022
	Opening remarks
11:00- 11:30	Small-scale fisheries actors opening statement
	Aquaculture actors opening statement
	Video on Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in the region
TESTIMONIES OF THE INNOVATIVE CAPACITY OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
	Small-scale fisheries actors (Small-scale fisheries organization)
	Small-scale aquaculture actors (Aquafarmers organization)
	Civil society organization
11:30-12:30	The crucial role of women in  Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture
	Youth: voices of the future, aware and prepared
	Resource stewards creating value for all
REGIONAL INITIATIVES
12:30-13:00	Video message compilation: Why are small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture important?
	Committees for the Region
	Poll: Which expected outcomes of IYAFA 2022 do you consider as essential?
	Conclusion and Regional Call to Action for IYAFA