A solid partnership: FAO Brussels and OACPS Ambassadors

An even stronger partnership between FAO and the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is crucial for the efforts of both entities towards global agrifood systems transformation.  

This was one of the main messages at a meeting of FAO Brussels Director Raschad Al-Khafaji with the Chair of the OACPS Committee of Ambassadors, Ambassador Colin Connelly of Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti’s Ambassador, Dr Jesse Jean the Chair of the Caribbean Forum (Cariforum) Group of Ambassadors in Brussels.

During the meeting that was hosted by Ambassador Connely, the various stressors on the global food security situation were identified as key concerns for Least Developing Countries, Small Island Developing States and Landlocked Countries, which represent the majority of OACPS Member States. FAO’s Hand in Hand Initiative and its Geospatial Platform, currently being implemented in several OACPS Member States was highlighted as a modern science-based approach to help making agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The recently proposed Global Food Import Financing Facility (FIFF) was alluded to as a way of responding to soaring food import costs and addressing the needs of the most exposed.

The meeting also discussed the ongoing preparations for a new partnership agreement between FAO and OACPS, as well as the linkages between the achievement of the four betters – better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life for all – and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.