"Agriculture for Development and Food Security in the Americas"
Despite the significant and growing need for agriculture investment and development, it has been reported that official development assistance to agriculture declined by about 66% in real dollar terms between 1985 and 2002. Agriculture became marginalized in both bilateral agencies and development banks. IICA and the OAS believe that food security must become a central component of development planning and must be linked to agricultural development policies that are part of a county’s national long term development goals. To this end, IICA and the OAS would like to take the opportunity to serve as a platform for discussion on this critically important issue for the peoples of the Americas.
Objectives of Conference:
1. Bring attention to the needs and opportunities to invest in agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2. Position food security for discussion at the Fifth Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Rural Life in the context of the Summit of the Americas process, and the Fifteenth Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA) to be held in Jamaica October 2009.
3. Raise visibility of the importance of food security and agriculture which was reaffirmed in the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain, at the Fifth Summit of the Americas.
4. Promote hemispheric workshops throughout 2010, thus leading to the creation of National Food Security Plans in the Member States.
Conference Pictures
Conference Webcast
Documentary: Food Security and the Rural Woman Farmer
Conference Press Releases:
Food Security and Country Led Food Security Plans-Top Priority for IICA/OAS Conference Experts - October, 2009
President Bill Clinton Lends Support to IICA OAS Food Security Conference- September 30th, 2009
Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States and OAS to Participate in Hemispheric Conference on Food Security - September 21st, 2009
IICA and OAS to Host Hemispheric Conference on Food Security - August 20th, 2009
Press Coverage on Conference
More Investments in Agriculture could ensure Food Security - Ambassador JohnsonOAS and Agriculture Institute Support Investment in Agriculture to Guarantee Food Security in the Region
Piden se reconozca papel de agricultura para economía y seguridad alimentaria
Americas urged to pay attention to Agriculture
Radio Interviews on Food Security and Conference:
IICA's Director General Dr. Chelston Brathwaite speaks about Food Security and Upcoming Conference (Spanish)
IICA's Director General Dr. Chelston Brathwaite speaks about Food Security and Upcoming Conference (English)
Dr. Chelston Brathwaite speaks with the BBC Caribbean Report
Conference Location:
The Organization of American States
Hall of the Americas
17th Street & Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Contact: knanlal@iicawash.org