Exchange of experiences in digitalization and connectivity of rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean

Background

Connectivity and the use of digital tools are key drivers for the transformation of the rural world. They improve social and economic inclusion (especially for women and youth), efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

That is why the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working to promote connectivity and the use of technology in the rural sectors of Latin America and the Caribbean in order to make progress in meeting Sustainable Development Goals 1 (end hunger), 2 (zero hunger), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduction of inequalities).

In 2021, FAO launched the 1000 Digital Villages initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean with the objective of taking advantages of connectivity, resources and digital solutions to promote rural transformation, improve household incomes and employment opportunities in rural sectors of 14 countries in the region.

Then, in 2022, FAO and the People's Republic of China launched the South-South Cooperation project: Digital Transformation and Innovation in Agriculture to promote connectivity and the use of digital tools in the rural sectors of 12 countries that are part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Both the 1000 Digital Villages initiative and the South-South Cooperation project have made great efforts to achieve the transformation towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

It is therefore necessary to create a space for dialogue, exchange of experiences and collaboration in which the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean work together with FAO know and share the innovative solutions they have designed to implement technologies, digitization of services, products and development of digital skills in rural areas.

Objective

Exchange experiences of digitization in rural areas and rural agriculture, considering the progress processes obtained from the South-South Cooperation project: Innovation and Transformation of agriculture and the 1000 Digital Villages initiative, in order to face current challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, it seeks to establish opportunities for dialogue between the national governments of 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean for the digitization of agriculture and rural territories.

Who will participate?

The event "Exchange of experiences in digitization and connectivity in rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean" will bring together technical officials from public institutions that accompany the implementation process of the digital pilots in the 12 countries that are part of the South-South Cooperation project and the focal points of the FAO Representations that collaborate in the implementation of the project.