Today, Belize hosted the National Consultation on the Regional Action Plan (PAR) for the Food and Nutrition Security Policy (POLSAN) of Central America and the Dominican Republic 2024-2028. The consultation, held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise in Belmopan, brought together key stakeholders to discuss and align national efforts with the regional food security framework.

The event commenced with opening remarks by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP). The speakers underscored the importance of regional cooperation to address food security challenges, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global price crises.

Participants were introduced to the POLSAN 2024-2028 by the General Secretariat of SICA, followed by an overview of Belize’s national policies on food security and nutrition. The sessions emphasized the need for an integrated, intersectoral approach to ensure permanent access to safe and nutritious food for all Belizeans.

The consultation featured group discussions on how to adapt and prioritize the POLSAN measures within the national context. Representatives from agriculture, health, social sectors, civil society, and international organizations worked together to refine the regional action plan to meet Belize’s unique needs.

As part of the closing remarks, representatives reaffirmed Belize’s commitment to collaborating with SICA Member States to enhance food security and nutrition for all Central Americans and Dominicans.

The outcomes from today’s consultation will contribute to the upcoming regional validation workshop in October 2024, further ensuring that Belize’s voice is reflected in the final regional action plan.