FAO, OACPS to strengthen cooperation towards new partnership agreement

FAO Brussels Director Raschad Al-Khafaji and Assistant Secretaries-General of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Cristelle Pratt and Escipión Oliveira Gomez met virtually to discuss cooperation status and the way forward for a new partnership agreement between the two organizations.

Both parties agreed to increase joint efforts to transform agri-food systems, working together in a variety of  areas, including strengthening engagement with the private sector, boosting sustainable value chains and promoting healthy diets.

FAO and OACPS representatives agreed on the importance of aquatic food, not only as a vital source of protein, but also as a great resource for the natural system in terms of climate mitigation and adaptation. This is particularly relevant for Small Islands Developing States, which account for almost half of OACPS membership.

Al-Khafaji and the OACPS Assistant Secretaries-General also highlighted the need to increase collaboration on the ground, furthering strengthening ties between technical divisions who work at a global level and country offices.

One upcoming occasion for cooperation includes FAO’s engagement in the OACPS Ministerial Meeting of Fisheries, to be held in Accra from 5 to 8 April 2022. The event will be taking place during the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, scheduled for 2022.  

You can read more about FAO’s cooperation with OACPS here.