During the LARC39 Regional Conference, countries of the region defined priorities aimed at eradicating hunger, strengthening climate resilience, and mobilizing investments to transform agrifood systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded the 39th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC39), which brought together representatives from countries across the region in Brasília to define priorities and strategic orientations that will guide the Organization’s work during the 2026–2027 biennium.

During five days of deliberations, Member States examined the main challenges facing agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the persistence of hunger and all forms of malnutrition, growing vulnerability to climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources such as water, soils and forests, and the need to expand public and private investment in the sector.

“Allow me to reiterate FAO’s commitment. We will continue working with Member States to implement the priorities defined here: strengthening food security and nutrition; promoting evidence-based policies; mobilizing investments; advancing technological and digital innovation; reinforcing resilience to crises; and supporting the development of more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems,” said the FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Rene Orellana Halkyer.

As a result of the Conference, countries adopted by consensus a final report establishing a regional roadmap to advance towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

Among the key messages emerging from LARC39 was the need to intensify efforts to eradicate hunger in the region, leveraging its significant productive potential and its strategic role in global food security. Discussions also underscored the importance of strengthening evidence-based public policies, promoting technological and digital innovation, and accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices to address the impacts of climate change.

Eastern Caribbean states underscore small island developing states (SIDS-focused) priorities for agrifood resilience

Eastern Caribbean countries also participated in the ministerial discussions, with Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada,  St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines underscoring priorities shaped by the realities of small island developing states. Across the subregion, interventions highlighted the need for stronger climate resilience, improved water security, agricultural risk management, access to innovation and technology, more responsive financing mechanisms, targeted support for women and youth in agriculture, and deeper regional cooperation to strengthen agrifood systems and reduce shared vulnerabilities.

The Conference also highlighted the fundamental role of climate action, sustainable natural resource management, and the One Health approach in ensuring food security and nutrition for populations.

Countries agreed that mobilizing investments will be essential to advancing this agenda, requiring stronger strategic partnerships and efforts to close the financing gaps that hinder the transformation of agrifood systems.

In a global context marked by multiple crises, Member States also reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation, South–South cooperation, and multilateralism as essential tools to address shared challenges and accelerate sustainable development.

The Conference saw broad regional and international participation. A total of 512 participants from 32 Member States attended, including one Head of State, 42 ministers, vice-ministers and permanent secretaries, 22 ambassadors, as well as representatives of international organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, parliamentary fronts against hunger and the private sector.

In addition, more than 7 000 people followed the sessions through FAO’s digital platforms and social media, reflecting growing regional interest in the future of agrifood systems.

With the adoption of the final report, FAO and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean now move toward implementing the agreed priorities, aimed at strengthening food security and nutrition, promoting innovation, mobilizing investment and reinforcing the resilience of the region’s agrifood systems.