38th Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean: Task force to be set up to implement FAO recommendations – Mustapha

…Guyana will play key role in advancing efforts – FAO Assistant Director

A task force will be set up to implement the recommendations made at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s 38th Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Guyana this week.
As the curtains closed on the Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC), Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha shared during a press conference on Thursday that the task force was aiming to meet for the first time in Chile during the month of May.
However, individual discussions have already commenced with countries such as the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados on advancing their agricultural plans.
“We will have a task force set up, which will be chaired by myself as the Chairman of LARC for the next two years, and that task force will now look at implementation of the recommendations and decisions. In the meantime, lot of countries in the Caribbean and even some Latin American countries are looking for that leadership that Guyana is given out to Caricom. So, it is already started, but this task force that will be set up with countries like Guyana and big countries like Brazil and other Latin American countries,” Mustapha disclosed.

He outlined that many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have called for financing mechanisms to be made available, advancing fisheries towards sustainability under the Blue Transformation approach; transforming agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean; and addressing the challenges of the water-forest biodiversity-soil nexus in a climate change context.
He outlined, “Financing is very important here. Many Small Island Developing States are looking for financing and they have called on the FAO not to give the financing but to facilitate financing…They are looking also to help, for help in terms of equal trade. So that FAO can facilitate these trends. We’re also talking about the Blue Economy in fishing. There’s a number of issues at the World Trade Organisation where the playing field is not level at all, because Small Island Developing States only have a small capacity to fish.”
Mustapha added that the task force would address the gaps which previously existed between Latin America and the Caribbean, and both groupings can now work in unison.
“When we join forces with Latin America in the Caribbean, our strength will be vast. So, the link not only in Caricom but the link with Latin America will help us to bridge the gap that existed before between Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.
During the confab, leaders decided that four key areas would be pursued: efficient, inclusive and sustainable production; ending hunger to achieve food security and nutrition; sustainable management of natural resources and adaptation for climate change; and reduction of inequality and poverty and promotion of resilience.
Mustapha shared that LARC 38 served as a critical forum for Ministers of Agriculture and high-level officials from across Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss key challenges and collaborate on solutions related to food and agriculture.
He outlined, “LARC 38 was a landmark gathering that showcased Guyana’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation, promoting sustainable development, and addressing shared challenges. The conference focused on developing strategies for building resilience and sustainable food systems in the region.”
Key themes addressed included environmental sustainability, economic resilience, social inclusion and technological innovations. Delegates also discussed strategic strategies for enhancing regional integration and promoting trade.
Guyana is not only leading the Caribbean in food security but also chairing the Ministerial Task Force in a bid to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in the food import bill by 2025.
“Guyana looks forward to building on the momentum generated during this event, and continuing to work hand in hand with our regional partners to achieve shared goals and aspiration,” Minister Mustapha stated.

Key role
FAO Assistant Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin added that now was the time to think about the future. As such, Guyana will play a key role in advancing efforts to build a resilient and sustainable agriculture sector, as it remains deeply involved in decision making to address internal and external challenges.
“We need to think for the future and again, Guyana will play a key role, because you will chair all the process and all the decisions of the conference for the next two years,” Lubetkin said. (G12)