Cuban Minister of Labor and Social Security, Jesús Otamendiz, affirmed that building a sovereign, sustainable, and equitable food system is a national security priority for the Caribbean nation.
Speaking at the 39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Brazil’s capital from March 2 to 6, the minister stated that this task is being undertaken despite facing a very complex situation, exacerbated by the intensification of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
This isolation, he indicated, is evident in policies that are described as unjust, genocidal, and unilateral, and is identified as the main obstacle to the country’s development and the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda.
Otamendiz emphasized that, despite the adverse context, Cuba maintains the political will to implement the National Plan for Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Education and the State Plan for Confronting Climate Change, known as Task Life.
These instruments, he affirmed, are aimed at reducing dependence on imports, promoting science, technology, and innovation applied to the agri-food sector, and strengthening the links between local production and consumption.
During his address, Otamendiz expressed his gratitude for the holding of this meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and described it as fundamental for regional dialogue and cooperation.
In this regard, he highlighted the opportunity it provides to share experiences, analyze common challenges, and collectively design more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems.
He also noted that the conference is taking place in a complex regional context, marked by overlapping crises that have exacerbated structural challenges in Latin America, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation in food and input prices, and the climate crisis.
The minister also mentioned the geopolitical conflicts affecting supply chains and reiterated Cuba’s condemnation of the US and Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He acknowledged FAO’s mandate and technical leadership, as well as its role in mobilizing knowledge and resources, and its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He expressed his gratitude for the organization’s support of Cuba through technical training projects that strengthened capacities, promoted technological innovation, and generated evidence to inform decision-making in the national agricultural sector.
Otamendiz also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the FAO and multilateralism, thanked the Brazilian government for its solidarity, and expressed confidence that the discussions and agreements of this meeting will mark a turning point toward more robust, coordinated, and effective collective action in the region.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
