FAO holds regional consultations to define work priorities ahead of the LARC39 Regional Conference

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Regional Technical Consultation in preparation for the 39th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC 39), which will take place in March 2026 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The consultation, held virtually on September 9 and 10, brought together representatives from FAO’s 33 Member States in the region, alongside civil society actors, academia, the private sector, and parliaments, to discuss the main challenges and opportunities for transforming agrifood systems.

Over two days, participants reviewed the progress made since the last Regional Conference (LARC38), held in Guyana in 2024, and discussed FAO’s work priorities for the 2026–2027 biennium. Discussions focused on efficient, inclusive, and sustainable production; ending hunger and achieving food security and nutrition; sustainable management of natural resources and climate change adaptation; and reducing inequalities, poverty, and fostering resilience.

The session was opened by Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist and Acting Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, who stated: “Progress is possible, and this preparatory process for the Regional Conference to be held in Brazil in 2026 gives us the opportunity to learn from these experiences. Achieving food security and improving nutrition for all people requires firm and sustained political commitments. We must accelerate action, redesigning policies based on evidence and redirecting investments more efficiently to achieve better livelihoods for all, even in scenarios of global uncertainty.”

The outcomes of the regional consultation will feed into FAO’s 2026–2027 Programme of Work and serve as a key input for the Regional Conference (LARC39), where heads of state, ministers, parliamentarians, and multiple stakeholders will meet to define regional priorities for action in food and agriculture.