Agroecology in the region has been carried out in practice for decades; by social movements of small-holder farmers, rural groups, traditional communities, indigenous peoples, artisanal fisher folk, herders, and gatherers. It has a strong scientific base and is increasingly receiving support from governments through new public policies. The practices and elements of agroecology ensure food security and sovereignty, as well as strengthen family farming.

As a result of the International Symposium on Agroecology for Food Security, held in September 2014 by FAO within the framework of the International Year of Family Farming; the Regional Seminar on Agroecology in Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Brazil from June 24th- 26th, 2015.

Within the framework of the Plan of Action 2015 of the ad hoc Working Group on Family Farming and Rural Development of CELAC and the Ministerial Declaration of CELAC on Family Farming, approved in November of 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil, and ratified in the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government (San Jose, Costa Rica- January 2015); declared “support for the convening of a regional event on agroecology to encourage the exchange of experiences and to promote policies of sustainable development.”