The Diplomat
The Ministers of Agriculture of Ibero-America have approved a common declaration in favor of food security and agricultural sustainability in the region and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On April 27 and 28, the XI Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Agriculture was held in the Dominican Republic, which concluded with the approval, by consensus, of the joint declaration For an inclusive and sustainable food security in Ibero-America, which urges to “move towards a model that meets the pressing needs of the 60 million people who suffer food insecurity in the region, supports innovation and technology and reduces the environmental impact of the sector,” according to the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). During the meeting, the ministers also called for the implementation of a common roadmap to advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The XI Conference, which was well attended by ministers and senior representatives of the sector, is part of the preparatory meetings for the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will take place in the Dominican Republic on March 24 and 25, 2023 under the slogan Together for a fair and sustainable Ibero-America.
The joint declaration defends the need to increase productive capacity and diversity and access to productive assets and technological development – including digitalization and education – and calls for “a systemic transformation” to address global challenges such as climate change, social inequality and gender gaps, “significantly increasing investment in science, technology and innovation”.
It also calls for the establishment of cooperation agreements between Ibero-American Ministries of Agriculture, the promotion of Ibero-American supply of technology applied to agriculture, support for food and nutrition education programs, the promotion of intra-regional trade, the strengthening of family agriculture and the promotion of sustainable agriculture and the reduction of food waste. The ministers also agreed on a resolution in support of food security and sustainable development in Haiti.
The meeting, organized by the Dominican Republic, as Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Ibero-American Conference, and SEGIB, was inaugurated by Dominican President Luis Abinader, Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz, Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and Ibero-American Secretary General Andrés Allamand.
In his speech, Abinader urged the countries of Ibero-America that share the same vision and commitment to the development and well-being of their peoples “to make a commitment to join forces and explore opportunities for collaboration in favor of agriculture and food production. Allamand underscored the need to focus on innovation in order to implement sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impact and inequality.
