Reflections on the fight against hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean

Live broadcast

Background

With only six years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda, the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report (SOFI 2024) has revealed that we are far from achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) to eradicate hunger and malnutrition globally.

Despite the persistence of hunger and food insecurity globally over the past three years, Latin America and the Caribbean have managed to reduce both indicators for the second consecutive year.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the hunger rate decreased from 6.9% in 2021 to 6.2% in 2023, representing a reduction of 4.3 million people. However, significant subregional disparities remain: 5.2% of the population in South America is affected, 5.8% in Mesoamerica, and 17.2% in the Caribbean, with a total of 41 million people still suffering from hunger in the region.

Post-COVID-19 economic recovery, along with trade and social protection systems, has been crucial in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. However, these advances have not been enough; hunger levels remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, with clear inequalities between subregions.

Mobilizing investments in various countries in the region has been key to facilitating this recovery, allowing for a swift response and more efficient allocation of resources to the most vulnerable populations.

The joint efforts of governments and strategic partners have generated significant progress in emerging economies. However, hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition continue to rise in many countries.

This high-level dialogue is an important opportunity to examine national policies that have proven effective in reducing hunger and food insecurity.

Objective:

Encourage an exchange on the impact of public policies and government measures on improving food security and nutrition, and coordinate actions that can be adapted and implemented at a regional level, respecting the particularities of each country.

High-Level Panel

Opening

• Mario Lubetkin, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean

Presidential Messages of Commitment to the Fight Against Hunger and Malnutrition

• Participants to be confirmed

Presentation of National Strategies to Combat Hunger and Malnutrition

• Julio Berdegué, Designated Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico.

Conclusions

• Máximo Torero Cullen, FAO Chief Economist.

Audience

• Government officials 
• International organizations 
• Non-governmental organizations 
• Representatives from the scientific and academic communities 
• Media