Pres Ali urges shift in agriculture; calls for focus on biodiversity, youth, women in sustainable future

…as Columbia University, IICA, global leaders highlight agri’s strategic role in Latin America

Columbia University and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have launched an initiative to develop a new global narrative highlighting the critical role of agriculture in Latin America. This effort, which also involves international leaders and experts, aims to underscore the region’s strategic importance in addressing pressing global challenges over the next 30 years.
The first major step in this initiative took place in New York, where a select group of experts from the public, private, and academic sectors convened at Columbia University’s Forum. Their discussions focused on creating a roadmap for strengthening agri-food systems in Latin America, with a strong emphasis on food and nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and energy security.
This collaboration seeks to position Latin American agriculture as a key provider of solutions in an era of rapid population growth, climate crises, and political instability. President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, alongside key figures such as Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, and Jeffrey Shaman, Interim Dean of Columbia’s Climate School, led discussions on how to align agriculture with global environmental and social goals.

The diverse panel included prominent figures like Cynthia Rosenzweig, Senior Research Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Director of CGIAR, and other experts from major organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. These leaders debated the development of a comprehensive strategy to guide Latin American agriculture in addressing global issues.
Former Brazilian Minister of the Environment and Special Advisor to IICA, Izabella Teixeira, coordinated the discussions. She highlighted that agriculture’s future role in the region must consider climate change, biodiversity loss, and trade challenges. According to Teixeira, Latin America’s new agricultural narrative should reflect the region’s potential to balance food production with environmental sustainability.
The session, titled “Creating a New Narrative for Agriculture in Latin America: Resource-Efficient Agri-Food Systems for the Health of People and the Planet,” took place alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Climate Week in New York. Discussions focused on establishing a vision of Latin America as a global leader in sustainable agriculture, utilising its vast natural resources and technological advancements to meet the needs of a changing world.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali stressed the importance of moving beyond traditional views of agriculture, calling for a narrative that recognises the interconnection between food production and biodiversity preservation. He also emphasised the importance of including youth and women in this evolving sector, highlighting their roles in shaping a sustainable future.
IICA’s Director General, Manuel Otero, echoed these sentiments, urging a shift away from outdated views that paint Latin American agriculture as commodity-based and extractive. He emphasised the need for a more modern, consumer-oriented approach that values quality over quantity.
This initiative will continue to unfold in the coming months, with key milestones including the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Azerbaijan, where IICA will showcase the realities of agriculture in Latin America. Brazil will host COP 30 next year, marking another pivotal moment for this global narrative.
The discussions also addressed the rise of climate-related trade barriers and the growing need for Latin American agriculture to navigate these challenges while playing a crucial role in ensuring global food security and environmental stability.