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

Original version posted in Spanish by FAO here.

Together with legislators, FAO and international cooperating partners, including the SUN Movement, officially presented the Ibero-American and Caribbean Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security for All.

6 June 2024, Madrid

The capital of Spain became the epicentre of the fight against hunger and malnutrition for Ibero-America and the Caribbean with the official presentation of the Ibero-American and Caribbean Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security for All at the headquarters of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB).

The presentation was made by representatives from more than ten countries, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and international cooperation agencies in Spain and Mexico.

The alliance is the result of collaboration among the Parliamentary Front against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Spanish Parliamentary Alliance for the Right to Food, and the Portuguese Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security and Gender Equality.

“Parliamentarians play a critical role in shaping government policies and approving budgets that are essential for both nutrition interventions and sustainable food systems,” said Afshan Khan, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. “Their legislative actions have the power to mobilize resources, elevate awareness and establish the legal frameworks that safeguard the right to nutritious food and healthy diets.”

Khan was among those who spoke at the event to help launch the new alliance.

The alliance is backed by many international organizations, including FAO, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIAAPP), the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), SEGIB and the European Union. This collaboration is part of the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative, Mesoamerica Hunger Free AMEXCID-FAO, and EU4SUN, which is working to implement SUN Strategy 3.0 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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

This tripartite alliance articulates 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 Global Parliamentary Pact against Hunger and Malnutrition, approved at the Second Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition, held in Chile on 15–16 June 2023.

In addition to Khan and Lubetkin, the event was attended by delegations from the Parliamentary Front against Hunger of Latin America and the Caribbean, members of the Spanish Senate and Portuguese Parliament, and the directors of international cooperation agencies in Spain and Mexico, among other authorities.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition,” said AECID Director Antón Leis at the meeting. “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.”

AMEXCID Executive Director Gloria Sandoval was part of the Mexican delegation, along with the president of the Mexican Senate and head of the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger of Mexico, Ana Lilia Rivera.

“The partnership highlights the need to address the agrifood sector,” Sandoval said, “together and from parliaments, and to propose concrete and effective actions that promote this desired transformation in alignment with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and with gender equality.”

María González, manager of FIIAPP, the entity of the Spanish Cooperation system specialized in the promotion of public policies, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

“All political will must be translated into law to become a reality,” González said. “We are committed to improving public policies that prioritize food and nutrition security, include climate change and allocate adequate budgets. International cooperation is key to ensuring healthy, sustainable and affordable food for all.”

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, leaving no one behind. The effort also underscores the role of international cooperation among Ibero-American and Caribbean countries.

Appearance before the Spanish Senate

Prior to the event, Lubetkin and Sonia Rojas, a congresswoman from Costa Rica and the general coordinator of the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger of Latin America and the Caribbean, appeared before the Spanish Senate during a session of the International Development Cooperation Commission, moderated by Senator Gonzalo Robles. Robles highlighted the importance of strengthening political and budgetary efforts and incorporating gender and climate change perspectives in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Lubetkin highlighted the legislative work being done to end hunger and malnutrition. With more than 400 parliamentarians from more than 20 countries, Lubetkin said, the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean has contributed to the approval of more than a hundred laws in favour 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,” Rojas added. “This alliance represents an important step towards that goal.”

Robles concurred, noting the importance of collaboration in attacking malnutrition.

“International cooperation must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals,” Robles said. “This alliance is an example of how we can work together to eradicate hunger.” 

Luis Lobo, the Spain FAO Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, also highlighted the importance of the alliance.

“With this new alliance,” Lobo said, “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.”