Latin America and the Caribbean have achieved four consecutive years of progress in reducing hunger, yet more than 33 million people across the region continue to face it, the Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO) warned on Monday.

During the opening session of the 39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Brasilia, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative René Orellana Halkyer presented the organization’s results for the 2024–2025 biennium.

In his remarks, Orellana emphasized that while the region has demonstrated sustained progress in reducing hunger and food insecurity, deep social disparities remain. One in four people faces moderate or severe food insecurity, and approximately 182 million individuals cannot afford a healthy diet.

He noted that during the reporting period, FAO focused its efforts on consolidating regulatory frameworks, strengthening institutional capacities, and promoting strategic investments to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.

Under the “better production” pillar, technical cooperation enabled advances in sustainable soil management, responsible input use, and climate-resilient agriculture. More than 8,000 farmers received training through the World Soil Doctors Programme, currently active in 11 countries.

At the same time, governments reinforced their commitment to updating the CELAC 2030 Food Security, Nutrition and Hunger Eradication Plan, as well as to expanding school feeding programs and implementing data-driven public policies.

The report presented on Monday also highlighted progress in biodiversity conservation, land degradation neutrality, and climate action within agrifood systems.

Over the biennium, FAO mobilized $158.5 million in environmental and climate financing. Additionally, the agency supported countries in accessing $400 million in voluntary contributions and facilitated the mobilization of $900 million in co-financing and co-investment.

The regional representative cautioned that sustaining and accelerating these gains will require political continuity, sustained investment, and strengthened regional cooperation in the face of climate, economic, and social challenges.

The 39th Regional Conference, which runs in Brasilia through March 6, is FAO’s highest governing body in the region and will define work priorities for the next two years.