LAC Ministers during the 35th FAO Regional Conference

For the first time in FAO history, the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean opened with a record attendance of ministerial representation from all 33 countries across the region.

The 35^th Regional Conference gave Latin American and Caribbean ministers an opportunity to collectively decide on FAO’s work plan and budget on issues relating to:

• Ending hunger, achieving food security and eradicating all forms of malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean;
• A New approach to rural development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and fighting inequality and overcoming poverty in a sustainable way; and
• Climate resilient sustainable agriculture.

 The four-day Conference chronicled several unprecedented occurrences including:

• Historic participation of all 33 LAC member countries;
• the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between FAO and the Caribbean Development Bank;
• a message from the fastest man in the world, Dr. Hon. Usain Bolt;
• the signing of a letter of intent between the Government of Mexico and FAO towards a fund for climate change adaptation and resilience in the Caribbean;
• The signing of a memorandum between FAO and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples for Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin American and Caribbean Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Environment, and Social Security along with FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva attended the meeting, which was held from 5-8 March 2018 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Mentionable highlights include the presence of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness who delivered the keynote speech during the Opening Ceremony; International Women’s Day celebrations and the celebration of the 40^th Anniversary of FAO representations across 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Jamaica.

The 35^th Regional Conference has enabled FAO Offices serving the Latin American and Caribbean region to be better poised to take on the giant role of ending hunger and poverty in the region and in promoting climate resilient and sustainable agricultural practices under an extended workplan for 2018-2021.

For more information on the Conference visit: http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/larc35/en/