Regional Conference for the Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean
Welcome to the Regional Conference for the Sustainable Livestock Transformation
Dear Participants,
It is an honor to welcome you to Uruguay and to the Regional Conference for the Sustainable Transformation of Livestock in Latin America and the Caribbean, which will be held on November 5 and 6 at the Punta del Este Convention Center.
As President of the National Meat Institute, I am proud to invite you to this event, which is being held in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Uruguay. This conference aims to provide a space for countries and stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean to share successful experiences, initiatives and actions that contribute to the sustainable transformation of livestock in our region.
Sustainability in livestock production is a global challenge that requires collaboration and knowledge exchange among all the actors involved. This event seeks to foster cooperation and generate synergies to improve the productivity and sustainability of livestock systems, thus ensuring the sustainable development of our region.
Cattle raising is a fundamental pillar of Uruguayan identity and a solid foundation of our economy. Since the introduction of cattle in 1611, this activity has driven the social and economic development of our country, always with a firm commitment to environmental responsibility. Uruguay stands out in Latin America for its high per capita income and equitable income distribution, factors closely linked to our livestock legacy.
Our livestock production not only meets the nutritional needs of our population, but also positions Uruguay as a key supplier of high-quality animal protein in international markets. We export more than 75% of our beef to over 100 countries, meeting the highest global standards in health, safety, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and economic responsibility.
For all these reasons, it is an honor for Uruguay to host and co-organize this prestigious event, which will bring together representatives of governments, producers, scientists, development agencies, financial organizations, decision makers, civil society and the private sector, all with a special interest in sustainable livestock production.
I invite you to actively participate in this conference, where we will discuss opportunities for adopting and scaling up actions to promote the sustainable development of this sector, sharing lessons learned both in Uruguay and in the region.
We appreciate your participation and interest in working together for a more sustainable future.
Sincerely yours,
Conrado Ferber
President of the National Meat Institute
President of the National Meat Institute
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in conjunction with the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries and the National Meat Institute of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, are organizing the first Regional Conference for the Sustainable Transformation of Livestock with a focus on better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life.
This Conference will be held on November 5th and 6th, 2024 in Uruguay with the participation of representatives of governments, producers, scientists, development agencies, donors, financial organizations, decision-makers, civil society and the private sector with special interest in sustainable livestock production.
The topics to be discussed will focus on the transformation of livestock production toward more innovative, resilient and efficient production systems that reduce environmental impact and increase the accessibility of healthy food in the different livestock production chains.
General Objective:
To provide a neutral space for countries and stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean to share successful experiences, actions and initiatives that contribute to the sustainable transformation of livestock production.
Specific objectives:
- Raise awareness of the contribution of sustainable livestock production to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through better production, better nutrition, better environment and better lives.
- Exchange of knowledge, innovations and successful experiences for the sustainable transformation of livestock farming.
- Generate space for discussion of policies and strategies that favor socially, economically and environmentally sustainable livestock production.
- Facilitate discussions on opportunities for adoption and scaling up of actions through successful experiences.
Expected results:
- Greater understanding in the search for commitments to promote the sustainable transformation of livestock farming at the national and regional levels.
- Dissemination and communication of the main topics discussed at the congress, highlighting the importance of the region to world food and nutrition security and the necessary balances for the sustainable development of the sector.
- Promote exchange and cooperation for the sustainable transformation of livestock farming, taking into account the realities of each country.
- Strengthened networks and alliances between countries and institutions to promote sustainable livestock production
Date and place:
The event will be held in hybrid mode on November 5 and 6, 2024, in the city of Punta del Este, Uruguay.
Topics to be discussed:
Exchange of knowledge and experiences in the region in search of synergies and balances to improve productivity and animal production, ensuring the sustainability of livestock systems.
- Better production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, through efficient and inclusive food and agricultural supply chains at local, regional and global levels, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of agrifood systems under changing climatic and environmental conditions.
- Better nutrition: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition in all its forms, in particular by promoting nutritious foods and increasing access to healthy diets.
- Better environment: Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and combat climate change (reduction, reuse, recycling, waste management) through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
- A better life: Promoting inclusive economic growth by reducing inequalities (urban and rural areas, rich and poor countries, men and women).
- Public policies: Public sector actions for the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of livestock farming.
- Science and transfer: Sharing advances in science and technology. Transfer communication challenges.
- Financing: Mechanisms to support the implementation of policies and strategies to stimulate the private sector towards a sustainable transformation of livestock farming.
- Private sector: Realities and needs in the short, medium and long term. Perspectives, gaps and challenges in a changing context.
- One Health: One Health approach as part of the transformation of agri-food systems for the benefit of human, animal, plant and environmental health, through a quadripartite partnership comprising FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WHOA).
