Leaders responsible for agriculture within their respective Caribbean territories recently convened a high-level meeting aimed at reinforcing joint efforts to alleviate hunger and poverty through the revitalization of the region’s agri-food systems.
Hosted by Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, Floyd Green, the gathering was graced by key figures including Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, and Assistant Director-General for Latin America and the Caribbean within the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Mario Lubetkin.
Green expressed hopes that the meeting would culminate in a tangible action plan. “We aim to leave this meeting with a credible plan that outlines timelines and identifies potential funding sources for immediate implementation,” he said during the opening ceremony.
The forum tackled critical issues facing small and aging farmers in the region, such as access to water, adapting to climate change realities, and implementing climate-smart agriculture strategies. Green urged the leaders to consider how partnerships could be leveraged to improve conditions for farmers across the Caribbean states.
The FAO presented several ongoing initiatives aimed at transforming Caribbean agrifood systems. Among these are the CARICOM 25 by 25 initiative, targeting a 25% reduction in extra-regional food imports by 2025; Climate Justice, focusing on the protection and inclusion of those most affected by climate change; and Energy Transition, which aims to diversify the FAO’s renewable energy project portfolio.
In addition, Lubetkin emphasized the urgent need for collective action. “The Caribbean is at a critical juncture in combating rising levels of hunger and malnutrition,” he stated. “Cooperation among governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders is imperative for the establishment of efficient, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.”
Lubetkin highlighted FAO’s contribution to Climate Finance in the Caribbean over the past four years, which includes the approval of around 10 Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects and 10 Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness projects.
Concluding his remarks, Lubetkin expressed confidence in the meeting’s potential impact. “This gathering is a significant step in our joint efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty in the Caribbean. We’re committed to operationalizing these initiatives by leveraging South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and by mobilizing investments that not only improve livelihoods but also protect the environment,” he added.
