Official Communique of the 46th Ordinary Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference on the Agenda of Agri-Food Systems, Food Security, and Nutrition.

The meeting provided updates on efforts to achieve the 25 for 2025 Food and Nutrition Security Initiative, including policy approvals; the removal of intra-regional trade barriers; promotion of agricultural trade; cross-border investments; human resource development and capacity building; increased production and productivity; and transportation and logistics. There has been heightened awareness and acceptance in recent years to enhance Food and Nutrition Security in the Region, with more than 73 projects and programs supporting the 25 for 2025 initiative being implemented by over 13 regional partners and donors. Another 20 initiatives are in various stages of formulation. Member States were encouraged to take advantage of the agricultural insurance products offered to the sector and promote greater collaboration among member states. Cooperation projects with external partners of the Community, including Cuba, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were highlighted. The Conference also noted that the upcoming regional ferry pilot service would be a key component of the Region's food security efforts. They agreed that Member States would develop a pre-clearance/regional export trade mechanism for agricultural products for approval at the 47th Ordinary Meeting in July 2024, and requested the MTF to expedite the identification of additional investor-friendly policies and programs for implementation under the 25 for 2025 food security initiative. Heads of Government strongly encouraged the regional private sector to take advantage of Suriname's proposal, which is making available 300,000 hectares of land for regional agricultural development. They emphasized the role of the private sector in taking urgent steps to invest in the production of agricultural items for which frequent CET suspensions are granted.