FAO and parliamentarians reach historic milestone for food security in Ibero-America and the Caribbean

The capital of Spain became the epicenter of the fight against hunger and malnutrition for Ibero-America and the Caribbean. With the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the international cooperation agencies of Spain and Mexico, representatives from more than ten countries met at the headquarters of the Ibero-American Secretariat (SEGIB) to officially present the Ibero-American and Caribbean Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security for All.  

The alliance results from the collaboration between the Parliamentary Front against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean (FPH-ALC), the Spanish Parliamentary Alliance for the Right to Food, and the Portuguese Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security with a Gender Approach.  

This new coordination body has the backing of FAO; Spanish Cooperation, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP); the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID); SEGIB; the European Union; and other international organizations that join forces to support this initiative. This collaboration is part of the programs Support to the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative, Mesoamerica without Hunger AMEXCID-FAO, and EU4SUN.  

"At FAO, we recognize that parliaments are fundamental for passing laws, allocating budgets, and promoting intersectoral dialogue. Their work strengthens human rights agendas and common solutions," said FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin.   

This tripartite alliance contributes to articulate efforts and experiences to respond to shared regional and international challenges, such as implementing the CELAC Food Security Plan and global agreements such as the Parliamentary Pact against Hunger, approved at the last II Parliamentary World Summit against Hunger 

In addition to the FAO Assistant Director General's participation, the event was attended by the Under Secretary General of the United Nations and coordinator of the SUN Movement, Afshan Khan; delegations from the Parliamentary Front against Hunger of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Spanish Senate and the Portuguese Parliament; directors of international cooperation agencies of Spain and Mexico; and other authorities.  

"We reaffirm our commitment to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition. Our goal is to ensure that no one suffers from hunger and that everyone has access to adequate food, regardless of gender, and always aiming for comprehensive sustainable development," said AECID Director Antón Leis.   

"The partnership highlights the need to address the agrifood sector, together and from parliaments, and to propose concrete and effective actions that promote this desired transformation, in alignment with SDG2: Zero Hunger and with gender equality," said AMEXCID Executive Director Gloria Sandoval, who was part of the Mexican delegation along with the president of the Mexican Senate and head of Mexico's FPH, Ana Lilia Rivera.  

"All political will must be translated into law to become a reality. We are committed to improving public policies, prioritizing food and nutrition security, climate change, and allocating adequate budgets. International cooperation is key to ensuring healthy, sustainable, and affordable food for all," said FIIAPP manager María González.  

The creation of this new alliance marks a renewed commitment by FAO, the Ibero-American Parliaments, AECID, AMEXCID, FIIAPP, SEGIB, and the European Union to move towards better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life without leaving anyone behind. This effort underscores the role of international cooperation between Ibero-American and Caribbean countries in this process. 

Appearance before the Spanish Senate  

The event to present the alliance was preceded by the appearance of Mario Lubetkin and the Costa Rican congresswoman and general coordinator of the FPH-LAC, Sonia Rojas, before the Spanish Senate.    

The session of the International Cooperation for Development Commission of the Spanish Senate was moderated by Senator Gonzalo Robles, president of the International Cooperation Commission, who highlighted the importance of strengthening political and budgetary efforts, incorporating gender and climate change perspectives in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Ibero-America and the Caribbean.  

Lubetkin highlighted the legislative work to end hunger and malnutrition, recalling that: "With more than 400 parliamentarians from more than 20 countries, the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean has contributed to the approval of more than 100 laws in favor of food security and sustainable agriculture".    

"It is essential that parliaments strengthen their commitment to state public policies that guarantee food security in each of our countries. This alliance represents an important step towards that goal," stressed Sonia Rojas.  

"International cooperation must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals; this alliance is an example of how we can work together to eradicate hunger," added Gonzalo Robles.  

"With this new alliance, a precedent is set for parliamentary cooperation and international collaboration, marking a path towards a future without hunger and with sustainable food systems in Ibero-America and the Caribbean," concluded the Spain-FAO Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luis Lobo.