UN Food Systems Coordination Hub strengthens partnerships for food systems transformation across the Caribbean and Central America

Bridgetown/Panama City/Tegucigalpa/Santo Domingo, June 2026 – During an official mission to the Caribbean and Central America, Carlos Watson, Director a.i. of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, met with government leaders, United Nations partners, regional organizations and development institutions to strengthen collaboration on food systems transformation and explore opportunities for greater regional cooperation.

The mission brought together partners working across food security, nutrition, agriculture, climate resilience and sustainable development. Discussions focused on the partnerships, financing and coordination needed to strengthen food systems and improve outcomes for communities across the region.

A key moment of the mission was Watson's participation in the Caribbean Food Systems Investment Forum in Barbados, where he moderated a high-level dialogue between government representatives, investors and development partners on removing barriers to investment in food systems. The discussion explored ways to attract financing, strengthen value chains and create opportunities for sustainable growth and food systems transformation across the Caribbean.

“Across the Caribbean and Central America, there is strong momentum behind efforts to strengthen food systems,” Watson said. “Our discussions highlighted the importance of bringing together governments, development partners, financial institutions and regional organizations to address shared challenges and accelerate progress.”

Throughout the Caribbean leg of the mission, Watson met with ministers and national food systems leaders from Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia. Conversations focused on food security and nutrition, climate resilience, youth engagement, sustainable agriculture, social protection and opportunities for greater collaboration among Caribbean countries facing similar challenges.

The mission also included strategic meetings with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Discussions focused on strengthening coordinated UN support for food systems transformation, positioning food systems as an entry point for delivering integrated development outcomes, and reinforcing the role of Resident Coordinators in supporting national implementation, governance and cross-sectoral coordination. The exchanges also explored opportunities to align food systems priorities with UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and enhance regional collaboration across the Eastern Caribbean.

The visit provided an opportunity to build on discussions from recent regional food systems processes and to explore ways of strengthening investment, partnerships and knowledge-sharing across the Caribbean.

In Panama, Watson met with representatives of the Government of Panama, the United Nations system, regional organizations and development partners following the Fourth Regional Meeting on Food Systems Transformation for Latin America and the Caribbean. Discussions focused on regional cooperation, financing, governance and opportunities to strengthen collaboration in support of country-led efforts.

Engagements included meetings with the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, the UN Food Systems Task Force for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, and the United Nations Development Coordination Office besides the Ministry of Agrarian Development of Panama. Participants discussed how regional institutions can work more closely together to support countries and respond to growing demand for practical solutions, technical co-operation and investment.

In Honduras and the Dominican Republic, Watson met with government officials, United Nations partners and development organizations to discuss efforts to strengthen food security, nutrition and rural development. Discussions explored governance, investment, monitoring and coordination across sectors, as countries work to build on existing food systems initiatives and national development efforts.

The Dominican Republic also shared experiences from a range of ongoing initiatives related to food systems, climate action, financing and accountability. These experiences are helping inform broader regional conversations on how to strengthen implementation, measure progress and scale successful approaches.

In the Dominican Republic, Mr. Watson participated in the official launch of the SDG Fund Joint Programme on Food Systems Transformation, reaffirming the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub's commitment to supporting implementation at country level. The event brought together senior government authorities, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, UN agencies and development partners to launch a flagship initiative aimed at accelerating integrated food systems transformation through territorial development in the Yaque del Sur basin. During the opening, Watson highlighted the importance of moving from commitments to implementation, strengthening governance, mobilizing partnerships and investment, and scaling successful models that can generate lasting impact and serve as references for other countries in the region.

While each country faces its own circumstances, several themes featured prominently throughout the mission, including investment in food systems, resilience to climate-related challenges, stronger coordination across sectors, and expanding opportunities for rural communities, women and young people.

The mission highlighted growing collaboration across the Caribbean and Central America around food systems as a pathway to improved nutrition, sustainable livelihoods and long-term resilience. The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub will continue working with governments and partners across the region to foster cooperation, share experiences and support country-led efforts in the lead-up to the next phase of the UN Food Systems Summit process.