Latin America and the Caribbean takes a stand to lead sustainable livestock production

 Latin America and the Caribbean has 8.5% of the world's population but contributes 15% of the world's animal production, according to estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which places the region with a strategic role in food security and the transformation of agrifood systems.

FAO estimates that by 2050, global demand for animal protein will grow by 20%, driven by population growth, higher incomes, and urbanization, which will challenge the transformation of livestock systems to become more efficient, resilient, and sustainable, leaving no one behind.

For this reason, today began the XVII CODEGALAC as a strategic space for dialogue and technical cooperation around the sustainable development of regional livestock production, led by the government of Guatemala as the incoming president of the Commission, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), supported by FAO as its permanent Technical Secretariat. 

The event was inaugurated by María Fernanda Rivera Dávila, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food of Guatemala, and was attended by representatives from 16 countries, as well as the private sector, international organizations, and civil society.

"This space is an opportunity to draw new alliances and consolidate common agendas; with a shared vision, technical commitment, and courageous decisions, we will build a livestock future aligned with the challenges of the 21st century and in favor of all people of the region," said Minister Rivera.

Rafael Zavala, FAO Representative in Guatemala, highlighted the role of CODEGALAC as a platform for articulating a move towards more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive livestock farming. "Here, consensus is built and evidence-based technical and policy solutions are shared. That's why FAO reinforces its commitment to continue accompanying countries through technical tools, specialized analysis, cooperation platforms, and public policy frameworks, to work and provide new opportunities to producers in Latin America and the Caribbean, with an intersectoral vision that integrates sustainability, profitability, and climate resilience," said Zavala. 

The technical sessions, which will take place until July 18th, will discuss priority issues such as animal health, innovation, public policies, governance, and sustainable transformation of the livestock sector, including the financial and resource mobilization strategy by the end of the third day within the first Investment Forum for Sustainable Livestock Production.

What is CODEGALAC

Livestock plays a strategic role as a livelihood in Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to food security, rural development, and job creation. However, it faces complex challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, and animal health threats, which underscore the need to adopt more sustainable production models.

CODEGALAC was created as a statutory board of FAO in 1986 and is the technical advisory body on livestock production (animal production and health) of the Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Held every two years, every Commission meeting includes the preparation of technical cooperation projects, working group meetings, capacity-building activities, technical seminars on livestock policy, and thematic forums.

Photographs: XVII CODEGALAC – Comisión técnica por la Ganadería sostenible en ALC | Flickr