Very low levels of undernourishment in Guyana, says FAO

Several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Guyana, now report very low levels of undernourishment, showing that coordinated policies can deliver results, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Wednesday.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu made the announcement during his address to the 39th Session of the FAO Regional Conference. “Several countries in the region – Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana and Uruguay – report a prevalence of undernourishment, the key metric for what is known as FAO’s ‘Hunger Map’, below 2.5 per cent of the population,” Qu said. He added that Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico are on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2, or ‘zero hunger,’ by 2030.

Qu acknowledged the region’s progress but warned that sustained action is needed to build resilient food systems. Latin America and the Caribbean have made measurable gains in reducing hunger, yet political inaction and limited financing continue to threaten food security.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who also addressed the forum, said financing for transforming agri-food systems remains fragmented and insufficient. He stressed the need for science-based solutions, innovation, stronger early-warning systems, and deeper regional cooperation.

Mustapha highlighted four regional priorities endorsed under the FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031: strengthening technical and policy support, modernising country offices, promoting healthy diets and economic growth, and improving natural resource management.

The minister urged delegates to review recommendations from the previous session and assess progress in advancing the region’s food security agenda. The 39th Regional Conference provides a space for high-level technical and political dialogue on challenges and progress in combating hunger and malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean.