PLACA strengthens its 2025 agenda with review of progress and coordination of actions 

The Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture held a meeting with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which is the secretariat of the mechanism.

Santiago, February 24, 2025. On February 14, the Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) held its Regional Forum 2025, a coordination forum for the members of its Thematic Working Groups to present the progress made in 2024 and to adjust the focus of their work over the next twelve months in accordance with the priorities previously defined by the member countries. 

This meeting brought together more than 60 government representatives who reviewed the achievements of the last year, highlighting the progress in the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, the survey of more than 70 low-cost technological practices in livestock during 2024, the elaboration of a Technical Report and policy note linked to information, reporting and monitoring of indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Caribe. 

In terms of capacity building, a summary was given of the more than 15 regional events that were attended by more than 1,900 participants and where topics such as sustainable soil management, agro-climatic technical roundtables or water resource management were discussed in coordination with other regional networks and international institutions such as CGIAR, the World Meteorological Organization or GWP. 

 Thematic priorities for 2025 were also identified, which included climate risk management, with a focus on the contribution of artificial intelligence applied to climate change in agriculture, which will optimize decision-making and adaptation to new environmental scenarios.  

The importance of promoting digital agriculture as a key tool for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of production systems was also emphasized. Another priority was the promotion of management practices to reduce soil degradation and the impact of droughts, seeking to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and rural communities. The relevance of carbon markets as a mechanism for promoting emissions mitigation and financing sustainable projects was also addressed. Finally, critical issues included Loss and Damage, and the advances derived from the Sharm el-Sheikh agreements, which seek to strengthen the global response to the effects of climate change. 

These priorities seek to align the various activities promoted by PLACA's Thematic Working Groups within the framework of their work plans in order to support the development of the technical capabilities of professionals from the ministries of agriculture of the region on issues related to climate change in the agricultural sector.  

María Mercedes Proaño, FAO Climate Finance Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed the importance of implementing concrete actions to adapt to climate change and protect biodiversity.  

“PLACA reafirma su compromiso de seguir impulsando la colaboración regional y el intercambio de conocimientos para enfrentar los desafíos climáticos en el sector agrícola. Con una agenda clara y el apoyo de sus miembros, la plataforma se posiciona como un actor clave en la promoción de una agricultura sostenible y resiliente en América Latina y el Caribe, contribuyendo así a la lucha global contra el cambio climático», afirmó María Mercedes Proaño.

This is the second forum organized by PLACA and was attended by the PLACA Presidency, represented by Guatemala, and the Co-Presidency, represented by Peru, as well as the coordinators and members of the four Thematic Working Groups: Adaptation and Mitigation, Public Policies, Knowledge Management, and Research, Development and Technological Innovation.