UNGA22 Food Security in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges, strategies and urgent actions Statement

UNGA22 

Food Security in Latin America and the Caribbean:

Challenges, strategies and urgent actions 

Statement 

By 

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

As prepared 

20 September 2022

 

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

1. Multiple and overlapping challenges have increased hunger, food insecurity and poverty globally, and in the region,

 

2. Which was the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a decline of 7% of GDP in 2020 – more than double the global average.

 

3. Employment, especially in the informal economy, fell sharply causing a big rise in poverty.

 

4. Between 2019 and 2021, extreme poverty rose to 86 million people in the region, and undernourishment reached its highest level since 2006;

 

5. 56.5 million people suffered from hunger; and moderate or severe food insecurity increased to 268 million people.

 

6. Globally, this figure is higher among women than men, but the gender gap is much larger in this region, and continued to widen since the pandemic.

 

7. The increase in hunger, poverty and malnutrition is a paradox for a region that contributes significantly to the world's food supply and produces enough food to feed its entire population.

 

8. The war in Ukraine, and other conflicts, have further added unpredictable challenges, with international prices of key commodities rising due to supply chain disruptions.

 

9. Many countries in the region are net importers of wheat, maize and vegetable oils, which greatly exposes them to the current price shocks.

 

10. Rising fertilizer costs are of great concern, especially for the region, which imports about 85% of the fertilizers it uses, putting at risk the production and yields of food staples that could lead to both a food availability and food affordability crisis.

 

11. The annual regional food inflation rate reached 11.9% in June, affecting low-income families the hardest.

 

12. To address all these challenges, the region must transform its agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable,

 

13. To promote better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and better life for all, leaving no one behind.

 

14. Four priority areas need accelerated action:

 

15. First, providing immediate support to the vulnerable through social protection systems, especially in rural areas and vulnerable groups.

 

16. Second, boosting agricultural production by ensuring that family farmers have affordable access to seeds and fertilizers, working capital and technical assistance, and linking them to markets.

 

17. Third, facilitating trade in agricultural products and fertilizers to prevent further disruptions to food production.

 

18. And fourth, investing in climate-resilient agriculture to address and reverse the effects of the climate crisis, through measures to support investments in climate-smart technologies, and the adoption of inclusive climate action practices.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

19. Let us continue to work together to implement sustainable and holistic solutions to address current challenges, and achieve long-term inclusive and sustainable development.

 

20. FAO is committed to work with Members in the region and beyond, and with all partners, to achieve this vision.

 

21. Thank you.