Speeches

Thank you for the opportunity. I am Ambassador Noemí Espinoza, Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), a regional mechanism that brings together 35 countries and territories of the Greater Caribbean.

I would like to begin by congratulating FAO on the launch of the SOFI 2025 report, which clearly shows how the combination of conflicts, extreme natural disasters—driven largely by climate change—and economic slowdowns and recessions is worsening the outlook for achieving the goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition. This makes it urgently necessary to act with determination and rethink the current course of action.

In our region, the situation is particularly paradoxical. We are a Zone of Peace, and yet some of our countries—such as Haiti—face complex crises. We are a region immensely rich in biodiversity, yet we have not achieved food self-sufficiency. This means that, overall, access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food remains a challenge, especially for our most vulnerable populations.

That is why the Association would like to share a few reflections and questions for this important dialogue:

First, how can we transform international efforts from short-term and reactive assistance into long-term, sustainable investments? Actions that, crucially, consider local food production as a pathway toward true food sovereignty.

Second, how can our countries in the Greater Caribbean, in collaboration with strategic partners, design and strengthen resilient and circular food systems that reduce dependency on costly imports and foster strong intraregional trade?

Third, the ACS holds a unique dual role: it is a political mechanism with a technical mandate to implement multi-country projects across the Greater Caribbean. We know our peoples’ realities up close and have the institutional capacity to coordinate regional actions for food security.

In this regard, I extend a concrete invitation to strengthen cooperation with the ACS, and to recognize it as a strategic and indispensable partner in advancing food systems that are sufficient, sustainable, and accessible to all communities in our region.

The Greater Caribbean is profoundly valuable to the world—rich in culture, biodiversity, and sustainable solutions. It has endured countless disasters associated with climate change, and therefore, if we aspire to a truly just future, we cannot allow food to become yet another debt our people must bear.

Thank you very much.