Mustapha warns region will ‘fail the people’ if food security targets are not met

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has warned that countries across Latin America and the Caribbean risk failing their citizens if critical food security targets are not achieved.

Speaking at the 39th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Conference, Mustapha stressed the need for urgent action to tackle hunger and strengthen the region’s agri-food systems. Discussions at the conference, held in Brazil, examined the outlook for food security in the region, noting a decrease in undernourishment at the regional level.

However, Mustapha said members previously expressed deep concern over a sharp increase in hunger within the Caribbean sub-region, even as some improvements were recorded in South America. Persistent challenges also remain in Mesoamerica and parts of the Caribbean.

He added that the region continues to face the highest global cost for a healthy diet, while small island developing states remain highly vulnerable to climate change, disasters and external economic shocks.

“The conference emphasised the critical importance of mobilising innovative solutions and scaling up efforts to eliminate hunger, guarantee the right to adequate food and support the vital work of subnational governments,” Mustapha said.

The forum also strongly supported international and regional efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty and highlighted the important role of the FAO in generating data and guiding public policies.

Mustapha reminded delegates that similar commitments were made during the 2024 conference and urged countries to measure progress against those targets.

“Let us see how many targets we have met over the last two years. These are matters that demand our immediate attention because if we don’t achieve these outcomes and objectives, then we will fail the people in the region,” he said.