37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean Meeting of the Andean Community (CAN) and the Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM) Statement
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
31/03/2022
37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean
Meeting of the Andean Community (CAN) and the Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM)
Statement
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
31 March 2022
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I wish to begin my thanking Ecuador as President Pro Tempore of the Andean Community, and host of the 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, for this initiative to bring us all together.
2. Only by working together, we will be able to transform our agrifood systems.
3. By sharing experiences, knowledge and lessons learned we accelerate innovation and can advance more effectively, efficiently and coherently.
4. The discussions and exchanges between Ministers over the last two days is a good starting point.
5. Latin America and the Caribbean is a diverse region, but with common issues to address.
6. Joint solutions, shared innovations and greater diversity are at the basis of all transformative efforts.
7. Our common purpose is to achieve the transformation towards more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems,
8. For better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.
9. And this objective is the focus of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, which will guide the work of the Organization over the next decade in support of our Members.
Dear Colleagues,
10. There are many issues of common concern on the agenda of both the Andean Community and CARICOM, and we are here to listen and to work with you.
11. At FAO, we see 5 main areas for increased collaboration:
12. First, there is intra-regional agrifood trade, to promote economic growth while improving nutrition levels.
13. Today, only a small percentage of the agrifood exports of the Andean countries go to the Caribbean, and vice versa.
14. The Caribbean registers the highest cost for a healthy diet, while in several Andean countries you have the lowest prices for fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are key to healthy diets.
15. Open and transparent trade brings development to both sides!
16. Second, the fishing sector is of vital importance for both sub-regions, and for the future of food globally.
17. Finding better ways to manage and regulate fishing, and to develop the Blue Economy through responsible and sustainable fishing, is an area that calls for increased cooperation.
18. Third, there is the challenge of effectively addressing plant diseases and animal pests affecting both your agrifood systems.
19. Both are common challenges that require intra-regional action and sharing of experiences.
20. Fourth, both sub-regions face risks associated with the more frequent and more intense impacts of the climate crisis.
21. Hurricanes, droughts and floods due to El Niño and La Niña, are now an almost daily occurrence in many countries.
22. Mutual learning about anticipatory action and rapid response, and about options for adaptation and resilience, is central to limiting negative social and economic impacts.
23. And Fifth, there is the issue of using science, innovation and digitization to expand economic opportunities for rural youth, women and Indigenous Peoples, to improve the competitiveness of family farmers and fisher folks,
24. And to generate and collect data for improved and informed decision making on environmental matters, and for the provision of services for producers and rural communities.
25. At FAO, we are committed to work with you on all these key areas, and beyond, to establish mechanisms to systematically identify and test concrete, practical initiatives for agrifood system transformation.
26. We do not need another “Talk Shop”, but we do need more “Do Shops”.
27. Your two organizations can build a bridge to develop and to share innovations to your mutual advantage – and you can count on FAO to provide all the necessary support.
28. Today’s meeting is an excellent start!
29. I thank you.