Every two years, FAO holds a Regional Ministerial Conference in Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing together its 33 Members in the region to monitor progress and address the challenges towards fighting hunger, poverty, malnutrition, and inequalities, and to achieving the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.In Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO’s agrifood systems approach has been  effective in supporting countries in accelerating the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to FAO's latest estimates, the prevalence of undernourishment in the region decreased in 2022 to 6.5 percent, from 7.0 percent in 2021, which means that 2.4 million people are no longer suffering from hunger. However, such progress has occurred in South America (from 7.0 percent to 6.1 percent), while the prevalence of hunger has remained almost the same in Mesoamerica (from 5.0 percent to 5.1 percent). In the Caribbean, undernourishment has risen, from 14.7 percent in 2021 to 16.3 percent in 2022.These statistics only scratch the surface of the current challenges facing agrifood systems in the region, which include the impacts of the climate crisis, economic disparities, and an over-dependence on commodities. Although the region is a net food exporter and responsible for 13 percent of global food production, reliance on commodity imports and exports exposes its agrifood systems to macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical instability, which in turn negatively impact food prices and incomes and lead to unfavourable food security and nutrition outcomes.The 38th FAO Regional Ministerial Conference will be held in the Caribbean nation of Guyana from 18 to 21 March 2024. This conference is a significant opportunity for member countries to enhance their individual and collective innovative thinking and build capacity to adapt to the changing landscape of agrifood systems across the region, and beyond, and be prepared for possible future scenarios.With the engagement of governments and all partners, the conference aims to forge a consensus on tailored action plans for food and agriculture and to uphold the fundamental human right to food in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner.The experience in Latin America and the Caribbean shows that achieving sustainable agrifood systems requires concerted multi-sectoral efforts. Fighting hunger is an act of collective responsibility, and thanks to a thriving regional integration, tangible results have been achieved. FAO continues to work through relevant international and multilateral fora in the region, and beyond, to continue to highlight the food security agenda and accelerate actions to advance the transformation of agrifood systems.Ownership and leadership by FAO Members, and collective efforts by all development partners and stakeholders, are critical. Shared vision, foresight, responsibilities, and implementation arrangements are needed to achieve our goals. I would like to emphasize the significance of collaborations and partnerships across the Latin America and the Caribbean region.In recent years, significant strides have been taken to bring together diverse perspectives and reach a regional consensus that will provide the blueprint for the Organization’s work in the region for the next biennium.FAO is currently implementing around 400 national, sub-regional, and regional projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that have added millions of households to the agrifood value chain.Moreover, there is evidence that FAO's global initiatives, such as the Hand-in-Hand, the 1000 Digital Villages, and the One Country One Priority Product, have positively impacted farmers, especially smallholders, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and marginalized groups and rural populations.At the Regional Ministerial Conference, FAO will focus on four interconnected regional priorities reflecting the “four betters” set out in the Organization's Strategic Framework 2022-31 - better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. These priorities aim to catalyze the transformation of agrifood systems by enhancing efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability in production; eradicating hunger and advancing food security and nutrition; promoting the sustainable management of natural resources and adaptation to the climate crisis; and addressing inequalities, poverty, and fostering resilience.The comprehensive Strategic Framework for the next decade provides us with an opportunity to take a wide-ranging look at our agrifood systems, identify areas that need improvement, and take appropriate actions. Members benefit from FAO's technical expertise, assistance, and support through its headquarters, as well as regional, subregional, and country offices, to ensure effective implementation in support of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. My focus is on strengthening FAO’s country offices to maximize their impact on the ground and support the work of Members at the country level.Our main goal for the region remains clear: to improve food production and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food, while protecting natural resources and reducing inequalities, poverty, and hunger. We must produce more with less. To this end, we need to leverage the potential of cooperation, trade, investment and the utilization of innovation and technology within the region and with other regions.At FAO, we have realigned and refocused our efforts towards supporting Members in accelerating the transformation needed. We have adopted agile operating strategies, offered tailored and timely data and analytical support, enhanced our engagement with governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and international financial institutions, and have established transformative partnerships with all key players. The reformed and restructured FAO is now better equipped, fit-for-purpose and already working towards this transformation for the benefit of people, planet, and prosperity.

March 19, 2024, Georgetown, Guyana –With 85 million people depending on aquatic foods for their livelihoods, these resources are vital to Latin America and the Caribbean's social, economic, and nutritional well-being. However, challenges such as climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation threaten the long-term viability of aquatic food systems, just as the region is at a crucial point on its path to food security and environmental sustainability.This urgency was the focus of the Ministerial Roundtable "Advancing fisheries and aquaculture towards sustainability under the Blue Transformation approach," held within the framework of the 38th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, which is taking place these days in Georgetown, Guyana.The Blue Transformation  is an approach aimed at redefining our relationship with aquatic foods and proposes a vision of sustainable aquaculture production, effective fisheries management, and improved value chains. The goal is to achieve more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems."If implemented sustainably, blue transformation will increase global aquatic food consumption, even as the population grows. But if we do not transform and do not have sustainable practices, we could reduce per capita consumption of this food, putting more pressure on land-based production systems," explained Manuel Barange, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.Ministers, vice ministers, and high authorities from Dominica, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad, and Tobago shared their countries' experiences. They agreed on the need for a joint effort between governments, private companies, investors, civil society organizations, and other actors to promote innovation in systems, investments, and partnerships."In Panama, a new Fisheries and Aquaculture Law was adopted to encourage fishing, aquaculture, and blue fishing-related activities, ensuring that they are carried out in a sustainable manner, using appropriate methods that ensure the conservation, production, and marketing of these products, within an activity that benefits current and future generations," said Panama's Minister of Agricultural Development, Augusto Valderrama. Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Agriculture, Lands, and Fisheries, Avinash Singh, said that "in the pursuit of sustainable management and development of our fisheries resources in Trinidad and Tobago, we are fortunate to collaborate with FAO in many areas of mutual interest, some of which include improving capacity for the adoption and implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries.Meanwhile, Jamaica's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, Floyd Green, argued that priority must be given to diversifying the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and fish farmers. "It is the only thing that can be done to reduce overfishing and support ecosystem management efforts throughout the region."The blue economy is one of Dominica's pillars of economic growth, said Roland Royer, the country's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries."Collectively, we call on islands in the region to promote the sustainable use of marine resources in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15. We endorse the regional protocol on the CARICOM Common Fisheries Policy for the sustainable use of living marine resources for blue economic growth and sustainable development, but much more is needed to boost the blue economy in the region."Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Peru, Úrsula Desilú, said that her country "will continue with the implementation of actions that contribute to improving the sustainability of hydrobiological resources and will continue to face all upcoming challenges through innovative and beneficial means for our economic agents."The discussion document "Moving Towards the Sustainability of Fisheries and Aquaculture under the Blue Transformation Approach" was presented during the meeting. This document provides a clear and concise roadmap to guide implementation efforts aligned with FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-31.

25 March 2024, Port-au-Prince/Santiago de Chile – Haiti is in the grip of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of the population likely facing acute food insecurity, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) analysis (IPC) . The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warns of dire consequences unless urgent action is taken to address the root causes of this crisis.Around 4.97 million people are experiencing or will likely experience high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June 2024. Of these, 1.64 million people (17 percent of the analyzed population) are classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), who are mostly concentrated in eight areas including the Artibonite valley, rural areas of La Grand’Anse, La Gonâve, the transverse part of the West and impoverished neighbourhoods Cité Soleil, Croix de Bouquets and Port-au-Prince. These figures show a stark deterioration of food security in Haiti, with 532,000 additional people experiencing acute food insecurity compared to previous estimates for the same period.The hunger crisis is fueled by a myriad of factors, including escalating armed gang violence, economic shocks, low agricultural yields, below-average rainfall, the lingering impacts of the August 2021 earthquake along with successive floods and reduced access to humanitarian aid.Violence perpetrated by armed groups has intensified in recent months, resulting in the internal displacement of approximately 362,000 people, including 50,000 displaced within the last three months, according to International Organization for Migration (IOM).This escalation in violence not only disrupts the circulation of goods and restricts access to markets but also inflates the prices of essential food items in an already fragile context. El Niño has compounded agricultural challenges, particularly affecting crop producers.Delays in the rainy season and rainfall deficits have significantly impacted the outcome of the 2023 spring season, typically representing half of the national agricultural production. Heavy rains and severe flooding in mid-November 2023 have damaged crops, homes and infrastructure. Local agricultural production deficits and market supply chain dysfunction have kept food prices high, hindering access to food. In 2023, agricultural production plummeted by around 39% for maize, 34% for rice and 22% for sorghum compared to the five-year average.Agriculture stands as a vital lifeline for Haitians, with over 75% of the most food-insecure people residing in rural areas. Urgent support is needed to boost agricultural and livestock production, ensuring the availability of and access to food for vulnerable farming families and communities.The Ministers and Vice-ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean, assembled at the38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in the city ofGeorgetown, Guyana from 18 to 21 March, addressed Haiti´s situation and included a specific resolution on this topic: “We expressed solidarity with the Republic of Haiti for the deteriorating humanitarian situation that compromises the food security and nutrition, as well as the livelihoods of its population.”FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin, said “We are consistent with the countries' demands regarding the priority we should give to Haiti´s critical situation”.FAO, with its local offices and teams actively present in the field, continues to closely monitor the situation and deliver essential agricultural support for the upcoming planting seasons. FAO is also ready to provide vulnerable populations, both displaced and residents, in urban and peri-urban areas of Port au Prince with critical assistance (i.e. cash transfers along with vegetable seeds and tools) to meet their basic needs and restore their agricultural livelihoods.Archive photographs:Photo 1Photo 2

Bridgetown, Barbados, 12 March 2024 (PAHO/WHO) - The Pan American Health Organization recently convened a four-day workshop in Barbados for public health and legal experts from six Caribbean countries. The focus was on legislation and the legal drafting of regulatory tools aimed at eliminating industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) and implementing sodium reduction targets for packaged foods.Excessive consumption of sodium and trans-fats ranks among the leading causes of death worldwide, contributing significantly to the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, which are among the top causes of mortality.   The elimination of trans-fats could save an estimated 17.5 million lives globally by 2040.   Reducing dietary sodium has been identified as an effective and cost-efficient way to save lives; for every US$ 1 invested in scaling up sodium reduction interventions, there will be a return of at least US$ 12.  While speaking at the start of the meeting in Barbados, the Director of the PAHO/WHO Subregional Program Coordination, Caribbean office, Dean Chambliss, noted that the potential gains are clear but there is an urgent need to adopt cost-effective measures.  “The Caribbean Community has taken steps, aiming for a 0% legal limit of industrially produced trans fatty acids in our food supply… Considering that over 40% of the world's population has already put in place trans fatty acids limits, and with the availability of healthier, commercially competitive alternatives, it is imperative that the Caribbean aligns swiftly to eliminate trans-fatty acids,” he said. The Global Action Plan on NCDs aims to cut sodium intake by 30% and eliminate industrially produced trans fatty acids by 2025.  The PAHO Subregional Director emphasised this could only be achieved through collaboration.In his remarks, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon Davidson Ishmael, underlined that the Barbados Government considers the drafting of regulatory tools for Industrially Produced Trans-Fatty Acids Elimination and Sodium Reduction of the utmost importance to improving health outcomes in an equitable way.“In alignment with PAHO and WHO guidelines, Barbados has resolved to eliminate industrially produced trans-fats from our food environment … Barbados remains steadfast in its commitment to removing Industrially Produced Trans-Fatty Acids from our local food supply by December 2024. We have engaged with both government and non-government stakeholders, including industry representatives, to ensure compliance and to establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms post-2024,” Mr Ishmael noted.The Minister of State also pledged to pilot and champion initiatives aimed at improving the overall food environment. This commitment includes the implementation of the Barbados School Nutrition Policy and the National Nutrition Policy, the introduction of taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, and advocating for octagonal front-of-package warning labels. 
PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr Amalia Del Riego, described legislation and regulations as some of the most powerful tools in public health.  “We know that they are effective, and that they have worked on many fronts.  Therefore, in the comprehensive approach to NCDs we must continue making the efforts to enforce legislation that will address the determinants and risk factors of health.  It will not be smooth sailing because we know the challenges in dealing with industry interests as they may not always be aligned with the greater good, the health of the people,” Dr Del Riego remarked.A recently produced study on the economic impact of eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids in Barbados was also shared with participants.  Produced by PAHO, the University of the West Indies’ George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, the Caribbean Institute for Health Research, the Barbados Statistical Service and other regional partners, the report compared the 2019 consumption of Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHOs) in Barbados with a counterfactual scenario in which PHOs were eliminated from the food supply.  The study estimated that nine cardiovascular disease-related deaths are associated with not having a policy in place to ban PHOs from the food supply.  Additionally, a national ban on the production or use of PHOs as an ingredient in all foods in 2019 would save more than half a million US Dollars ($546 246) in future productivity losses.  

The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, the University of the West Indies Faculty of Law at Cave Hill and Resolve to Save Lives.  Six countries were represented at the meeting: Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Suriname. 

END  CONTACT: Lisa Bayley - bayleylis@paho.org, PAHO/WHO Office of the Subregional Program Coordination (Caribbean) About the Pan American Health Organisation:  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world’s oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of WHO for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American system.  The PAHO Subregional Program is responsible for providing subregional technical cooperation and to strengthen PAHO’s engagement with the Caribbean Subregional integration mechanisms, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its various bodies and organs; and to build synergistic partnerships with the West Indies (UWI), among others. PAHO’s subregional technical cooperation specifically focuses on public health issues which would benefit from economies of scale and for which agreement on proposed collective responses and actions would produce a far greater impact rather than individual country responses. The Subregional Program also plays a role in coordinating among the different PAHO country offices.