Countries across Latin America and the Caribbean move from plans to action on food systems transformation

Panama City, Panama | 9–10 April 2026

Countries across Latin America and the Caribbean convened in Panama City on 9–10 April 2026 for the 4th Americas and Caribbean Food Systems Transformation Meeting, hosted by the Government of Panama and organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in collaboration with the UN Food Systems Task Force for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The meeting brought together more than 90 participants, including National Food Systems Convenors from 21 countries, alongside UN Resident Coordinators, regional and international organizations, development banks and financial institutions, civil society, youth representatives, Indigenous Peoples, academia, and private sector actors.

Across two days of discussions, participants focused on advancing food systems transformation in practice, with particular emphasis on implementation, coordination, and scaling results aligned with national priorities. 

From pathways to deliver

A clear shift emerged: countries are moving beyond planning and into delivery.

Since 2021, national food systems pathways have helped define priorities. These are now increasingly being translated into policies, programmes, and institutional arrangements, supported by stronger coordination across sectors and stakeholders.

This marks a transition from defining ambitions to delivering results in practice.

Coordination as the key enabler

Multisectoral governance, long emphasized in the region, is increasingly becoming operational.

Participants pointed to stronger interministerial coordination mechanisms, clearer roles for National Food Systems Convenors, and more structured engagement across stakeholders. At the same time, fragmentation across institutions and levels of government remains a key constraint.

The need to strengthen coordination emerged as a central theme, not only as a governance issue, but as a prerequisite for effective implementation and scaling.

As emphasized by Dr. Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, “Progress is driven by countries, and leadership from this region continues to shape that momentum.”

Grounded in local realities

Discussions consistently underscored the importance of territorial approaches and the central role of family farming.

Small-scale producers continue to be the backbone of food systems across the region, yet face structural barriers, particularly in accessing markets, financing, and infrastructure.

Participants highlighted the importance of aligning national priorities with local realities and strengthening support to rural communities and local food systems. Transformation is increasingly understood as something that must be built from the ground up, rooted in local economies, knowledge systems and lived realities.

From policy to practice

A recurring message throughout the meeting was the gap between policy frameworks and realities on the ground.

While many countries have established strong policy foundations, translating these into sustained, territorially anchored results remains uneven.

As highlighted during discussions in Panama, “Laws without funding remain on paper. In the field, people survive,” said Hermelinda Batista González, small-scale producer and President for Darién of CONADAF Panama.

This reflects a broader need to strengthen implementation capacity, improve market systems, and ensure that policies are matched with adequate resources.

Financing the shift to scale

Countries and partners emphasized that the next phase of food systems transformation will depend on the ability to mobilize financing and scale solutions.

This includes strengthening links between national priorities and investment pipelines, improving access to financing, and aligning public and private investments with food systems goals.

Across discussions, a consistent message emerged: without adequate financing, progress risks remaining at the level of plans and pilot initiatives.

At the same time, countries highlighted the need for financing models that are co-designed, inclusive, and capable of reaching local actors, particularly small-scale producers and rural communities.

From participation to co-ownership

The importance of inclusion was strongly emphasized, particularly by youth, women and civil society actors.

The message was clear: participation must go beyond consultation and translate into real influence in decision-making and implementation.

As highlighted during the civil society session, “Rural women are not a burden. We are the guardians of life for the world,” said Luz Haro Guanga, representative of the Red de Mujeres Rurales de América Latina y el Caribe.

This reflects a broader shift toward more inclusive and participatory approaches to food systems transformation, grounded in the realities of communities and territories. Inclusion is increasingly recognized not only as a principle, but as a condition for effective implementation.

A systems approach in practice

A strong point of convergence across discussions was the integration of food systems priorities across sectors.

Countries highlighted increasing alignment between food systems, climate action, nutrition, biodiversity, and social protection, reflecting a systems approach that is becoming more operational.

This integrated approach, combined with strong territorial focus and community-based initiatives, is emerging as a distinctive contribution of the region.

Scaling what works

Building on the progress and challenges identified during the first day, discussions on the second day focused on what it will take to move from implementation to scale.

Participants emphasized that scaling requires stronger alignment between policy and investment, more effective value chains including storage, processing, and distribution, strengthened governance across levels, and sustained support to territorial approaches and local actors.

There was broad recognition that many solutions already exist. The priority now is to connect them, expand them, and sustain them over time.

A shared regional direction

Across both days, a strong regional convergence emerged.

Countries, the United Nations system, financial institutions, civil society, academia and the private sector are increasingly working toward a shared vision, strengthening cooperation and accelerating learning across the region.

Despite a complex and evolving global context, participants reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining momentum and advancing a systems approach that integrates people, planet, and prosperity.

Looking ahead

As the meeting concluded, the message from the region was clear.

The foundations for food systems transformation are in place. Countries are advancing implementation and strengthening coordination. The next phase will require scaling solutions, mobilizing financing and sustaining political commitment.

Food systems are increasingly recognized as central to addressing interconnected challenges across health, livelihoods, climate and development.

There is a shared determination to move forward.

There is no turning back. The region is entering a new phase focused on delivery.