Remarks by Milagro Matus, Deputy Programme Manager, Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development, CARICOM Secretariat | World Food Day Observance 2024 | Georgetown, Guyana | 16 October 2024

"World Food Day provides us with a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every person in the CARICOM Region has the right to food. By embracing sustainable agricultural practices and fostering regional cooperation, we can create a better life and a brighter future for all." - Milagro Matus, Deputy Programme Manager, Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development, CARICOM Secretariat

It is an honour to address you on World Food Day 2024. The theme, 'Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future' resonates deeply with the CARICOM Region, where food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture are critical to our collective well-being and future prosperity.

In the Caribbean, the right to food is not just a fundamental human right, but a cornerstone of our efforts to build resilient and thriving communities. Ensuring access to diverse, nutritious, and affordable foods is essential for combating hunger and malnutrition. Moreover, as we face the increasing impacts of climate change, it is imperative that we develop food systems that are not only productive, but also resilient to environmental shocks.

This year’s theme also aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2024, which was held last week October 7-11 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Under the banner of 'Climate Smart Agriculture for a Sustainable Future', CWA 2024 showcased innovative practices and technologies aimed at helping our agricultural sector adapt to climate change, improve food security, and promote sustainable development.

World Food Day provides us with a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every person in the CARICOM Region has the right to food. By embracing sustainable agricultural practices and fostering regional cooperation, we can create a better life and a brighter future for all.

I would like to take this moment to commend the Government of Guyana for its outstanding leadership in advancing food and nutrition security across the Region through its Chairmanship of the CARICOM Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production, and Food Nutrition and Security. The achievements we see today are a testament to these efforts.

We also extend our gratitude to the FAO for its unwavering commitment to this mandate. Rest assured, the CARICOM Secretariat remains equally dedicated to ensuring the right to food for a better life and a brighter future for all Caribbean people.

Of course, I cannot conclude these remarks without expressing our heartfelt thanks to the farmers who work tirelessly to make the right to food a reality.

Thank you all.