Director-General visits fishermen association in Brazil, signs cooperation agreements

Rio de Janeiro – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited the Association of Fishermen and Women Fisherfolk of the Itaipu Extractive Reserve and Itaipu Lagoon (Appreili) in Brazil on Sunday. The visit took place on the margins of the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro. It provided FAO with insights into the lives of fishermen and women who focus their work on preserving local practices and ensuring the community’s sustainability.

Since 2023, the community has participated in the Itaipu Solidarity Economy Market, where they sell vacuum-packed and frozen fish caught just days before market day on Saturdays. This group comprises 80 artisanal fishers from the Itaipu Marine Extractive Reserve, a protected area where sustainable fishing has been practiced since 2013. One of the latest innovations includes the introduction of peixe-serra preserves, made from a species related to bonito, which has low commercial value.

During his time in Brazil, the Director-General also attended the signing of two agreements: the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2024-2027, and the new South-South cooperation project with Brazil to promote urban food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The CPF outlines the priorities for technical and strategic bilateral cooperation between the FAO and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC), aligning the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with specific targets for Brazil. The new cooperation project, carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Social Assistance, Family, and Combating Hunger of Brazil (MDS), seeks to enhance food security and reduce poverty among the most vulnerable populations in urban and peri-urban areas of cities in the region.

The signing ceremony took place at the Palácio do Itamaraty in Rio de Janeiro, with FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin, and the Director of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, Ambassador Ruy Pereira, as signatories.

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family, and Combating Hunger (MDS), Wellington Dias; the Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture (MDA), Paulo Teixeira; and the National Secretary for Artisanal Fisheries, Cristiano Ramalho.

During the ceremony, Qu emphasized that his organization will strongly support and collaborate closely with the Brazilian government to eradicate hunger. He also praised Brazilian President Lula da Silva for his efforts in addressing this challenge.

“The presence of the three Ministries here today for the signing of the Country Programming Framework between FAO and Brazil sends a strong political signal on the importance of International Cooperation under President Lula’s Leadership. International cooperation is extremely important for the success of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty,” Qu said.

The agreements aim to transform agrifood systems by promoting social and economic inclusion. Lubetkin emphasized that the partnership between FAO and Brazil serves as an international benchmark, noting the country’s advancements in combating hunger and poverty, as well as its leadership role in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.

Pereira highlighted the current moment of renewal for the bilateral partnership and stressed the importance of engaging in strategic discussions for a longer-term cooperation between FAO and Brazil.

The Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2024-2027 focuses on key areas such as food and nutrition security, family farming, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, governance and collaborative management of natural resources, climate change mitigation, rural development, and the enhancement of sustainable agricultural value chains.

This program is aligned with FAO’s Global Strategic Framework for 2022-2031 and supports the Sustainable Development Goals.

The International Cooperation Program highlights the importance of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation. The new project aims to improve access to and consumption of healthy food, reduce inequalities, strengthen sustainable and resilient food systems, and foster cooperation between cities.