The Commonwealth Secretariat and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on key agricultural and fisheries challenges confronting the Caribbean.
The MoU was signed by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, and IICA Director General, Manuel Otero.
Under the agreement, the organisations aim to support Commonwealth Caribbean countries to better leverage digitalisation for increased food production, to achieve agricultural and fisheries development, including trade and investment, and rural well-being across the region.
“In uncertain times, strengthening regional and global cooperation is key,” said Secretary-General Scotland.
“If we are to build the resilience of the most vulnerable members in our Commonwealth family, then we must work together to fight what can seem to be the overwhelming challenges of climate change and threats to food security. I am delighted that IICA and the Commonwealth Secretariat are joining forces to tackle these challenges.”
Specific areas of cooperation include:
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Fisheries.
- Increasing Productivity and Competitiveness.
- Trade and Investment Opportunities.
- Access to Climate Finance.
- User Empowerment and experience sharing for farmers and fisherfolk.
- Capacity Building for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Digital Agriculture and Digital Fisheries (Enabling the transformation of smallholder agriculture and artisanal fisheries).
“Caribbean countries are key to ensuring food security at the global level,” said Otero.
“At IICA we are committed to supporting the development of resilient, innovative, inclusive and profitable agriculture where new generations have opportunities to feed their families with dignity and generate well-being in their communities.”
Facilitated by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Connectivity Agenda (CCA) and IICA, the parties said the partnership will help build upon the work of both organisations’ ambition of a more inclusive and sustainable future.
