João Intini: “Regional cooperation is key to building more resilient and sustainable food systems”

In Cartagena, Colombia, the Regional Network of Public Food Supply and Marketing Systems (SPAA Network)—made up of government institutions from 18 countries—marked its 10th anniversary by bringing together representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen cooperation in favor of more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems. In this interview, FAO Food Systems Officer João Intini highlights how the Network has been instrumental in ensuring access to healthy, affordable food—even in the most critical moments—and outlines the challenges and priorities that will shape its future.

The SPAA Network is celebrating its 10th anniversary. What impact has this coordination and cooperation among countries had?

Marking 10 years of the SPAA Network is a major milestone—it’s about recognizing a decade of cooperation among countries to strengthen public food supply and marketing systems. Perhaps most noteworthy is that the Network never stopped its work during the pandemic, at a time when coordinated efforts were most needed to guarantee access to healthy, affordable food. Thanks to the work of its members, more than 500 public officials in the region have been able to strengthen their capacities in supply and marketing policies, which has led to better design and implementation of related policies and programs.

What challenges do markets and wholesale supply centers currently face in Latin America and the Caribbean?

Right now, one of the region’s main challenges is rising food prices and their impact on food security, as well as the need for food trade to help stimulate local economies and stabilize markets. That’s why, during this meeting, we exchanged best practices, analyzed policies, and explored strategies to strengthen the resilience of our food systems—always keeping social inclusion and gender equality at the forefront.

Another key topic on the agenda was how to feed urban populations in the context of the region’s increasing urbanization. This is a central concern for the SPAA Network.

What role does FAO’s technical cooperation play in addressing these challenges?

I believe it’s fundamental. In this case, we are working under the project Strengthening the Regional Food Systems Agenda for the Urban–Rural Continuum, led by the Government of Brazil—through the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family and the Fight Against Hunger (MDS) and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC/MRE)—together with FAO, under the Brazil–FAO International Cooperation Program. Our aim is to share successful public policy experiences and adapt them to the realities of each country, strengthening technical and institutional capacities.

Regional cooperation is key to addressing today’s challenges and building more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. We need to combine transparent information, comprehensive policies, and the exchange of experiences so that producers, consumers, and governments can make better decisions and ensure everyone’s right to adequate food.

What can we expect for the future of the SPAA Network?

We will continue working to make supply and marketing systems more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, promoting food security and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The coming years will be about consolidating and expanding this joint work.

Supply issues are increasingly being incorporated into multilateral spaces, for example in discussions on public procurement and strategic reserves.

For this reason, the Network is working on its expansion and on continuing to offer information and training opportunities across the region.