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FAO Regional Strategies to propel the SDGs in 2024

The 33rd FAO Regional Ministerial Conference for Africa was held in Rabat, Morocco from 18-20 April 2024.

©FAO

30/12/2024

In 2024 FAO Regional Conferences took decisive steps to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These regional gatherings emphasized innovative solutions, inclusive approaches, and resilience-building strategies to address the urgent challenges of food security, climate change, and rural transformation. 

 

The 37th FAO Regional Conference for Asia Pacific was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka 19-22 February 2024. © FAO/Sujeewa de Silva

The FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific prioritized climate change resilience, adaptation, and mitigation as critical to enhancing food security and nutrition (SDG 13). Delegates emphasized adopting agrifood systems approaches to reduce carbon emissions and minimize food loss and waste. With the region facing significant shortfalls in achieving SDG 2, recommendations included improving access to healthy diets, mobilizing financial resources, and fostering public-private partnerships. Special attention was given to the vulnerabilities of Pacific Island nations, in light of their disproportionate exposure to climate-related risks and natural disasters. Enhanced data collection and sharing, especially regarding disease transmission in livestock, plants, forestry, and fisheries, was also highlighted together with evidence-based decision-making for crafting effective policies aligned with the SDGs.

 

The 37th FAO Regional Conference for Near East was held in Amman, Jordan from 4-5 March 2024. © FAO

The FAO Regional Conference for the Near East, emphasized the importance of peace in addressing severe food security crises across the region, including in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon (SDG 16). Delegates addressed structural vulnerabilities exacerbated by conflict, reliance on imported food, and climate challenges. Participants reaffirmed their focus on rural transformation (SDG 1), empowering women and youth (SDG 5), combating malnutrition (SDG 2, promoting trade, and addressing climate change (SDG 13) and resource management (SDG 15). They also underscored the need for sustainable water management (SDG 6), agroecology, and climate-smart agriculture to enhance resilience and productivity. The conference welcomed regional initiatives including leadership academies and platforms for collaboration. Innovation, investment, and trade were identified as critical levers to advance food security and integrate sustainable practices into national policies.

 

 

The 38th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and Caribbean was held in Georgetown, Guyana from 18-21 March 2024.  © FAO/Max Valencia

The FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean identified four priorities for 2024-2025: Efficient, inclusive and sustainable production; Ending hunger and achieving food security;  Sustainable natural resource management and climate adaptation; and Reducing inequalities while promoting resilience. Delegates emphasized strengthening national capacities to adopt innovations, manage fisheries and aquaculture effectively, and implement robust food security policies to uphold the right to food, combat malnutrition, and expand social protections. Special focus was placed on innovative financing for climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration, advancing SDG 13 and SDG 15. Economic inclusion of marginalized groups—including family farmers, small-scale producers, rural women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and people of African descent— was prioritized, through improving access to resources and capacity building (SDG 10).FAO was urged to continue its technical support for  initiatives such as the G20 Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the CELAC Plan for Food Security and Nutrition and Eradication of Hunger by 2030.

 

The 33rd FAO Regional Conference for Africa was held in Rabat, Morocco from 18-20 April 2024. © FAO

The FAO Regional Conference for Africa brought together 51 members, including 45 Ministers and 5 Deputy Ministers, as well as a wide range of observers and partners to discuss the theme of “Resilient Agrifood Systems and Inclusive Rural Transformation”. The conference adopted the ARC/24 Report, which aligns with FAO’s Four Betters vision and the overarching goal of leaving no one behind by promoting equitable and sustainable agrifood systems transformation across the African continent- directly contribute to SDGs 1, 2, 10, and 12.

 

The 34th session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe was held in Rome, Italy from 14-17 May 2024. ©FAO/Giuseppe Carotenuto.

The FAO Regional Conference for Europe, focused on innovation and digitalization to support climate-resilient and low-emission agrifood systems (SDGs 2 and 13). Delegates emphasized the urgent need to assist Ukraine in restoring food security and agricultural productivity amidst the ongoing conflict, through supporting the functioning of critical food system services, monitoring the global impacts of the war and assessing damage to agrifood systems and estimating the costs of reconstruction. The conference reaffirmed the role of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031 in guiding efforts to combat food insecurity and undernourishment while advancing regional collaboration to build sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

 

As the world navigates complex challenges in 2024, the decisions made at the FAO Regional Conferences offer a roadmap for action. They further showcase a unified global commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development. By fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and prioritizing inclusive approaches, these regional efforts aim to create tangible progress toward achieving the SDGs. The FAO’s role as a convener and technical advisor remains pivotal in ensuring that no one is left behind. 

 

 

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FAO Regional Conferences 2024