During the event “Bioeconomy and Climate Change in the International Year of the Woman Farmer,” the Platform reaffirmed its role as a regional mechanism for strengthening institutional capacities and improving the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions in Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

February 2026.- En el marco del evento “Bioeconomía y cambio climático en el Año Internacional de la Agricultora», realizado el 11 y 12 de febrero en Lima, Perú, se llevó a cabo el panel “Panorama regional para planificar, ejecutar y evaluar medidas NDC del sector agrario con participación activa de mujeres”. Este espacio reunió a representantes de ministerios de agricultura de la región y organismos internacionales, con el objetivo de analizar oportunidades de cooperación y alineación de políticas en el marco de la acción climática agraria.

During this panel, Peru—through MIDAGRI and in its capacity as Chair of the Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA)—reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional coordination in order to harmonize methodologies, share lessons learned, and bridge gaps in the sector.

During the panel discussion, participants explored how regional platforms, such as PLACA, can help harmonize approaches, methodologies, and strategies to help bridge gaps in the agricultural sector, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and technical exchange for decision-making.

Gabriela Quiroz, director of the Department of Natural Resource Assessment and Climate Change at MIDAGRI, noted that PLACA has established itself as the only regional mechanism led by ministries of agriculture to strengthen institutional capacities and support the implementation of NDCs. “As the chair of PLACA, we are promoting agricultural climate action that combines productivity, sustainability, and equal opportunities,” she said.

In addition, according to a recent study synthesizing experiences in monitoring and evaluating climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the agricultural sector of PLACA member countries, there is evidence of both progress and challenges in updating climate commitments.

The study notes that all countries have national climate change adaptation plans and that several have developed specific instruments for the agricultural sector, recognizing its importance to GDP and food security. These developments reflect the growing priority placed on integrating climate action into agricultural policies and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems to improve the implementation of these measures.

In this context, PLACA will continue to promote technical exchange, regional cooperation, and capacity building as key pillars for advancing toward more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.

 The meeting brought together representatives from governments, international organizations, academia, and civil society to discuss responsible water governance in the region.

 

February 2026.- Globally, water security is at the center of discussions on sustainable development, agriculture, and climate action. In Latin America and the Caribbean, water management has become a priority issue, which is why regional processes are being promoted to encourage dialogue and cooperation between countries to strengthen governance and its contribution to food security, inclusion, and climate resilience.

In this context, on February 10 and 11, Panama City hosted the Diálogo Regional Regional Dialogue on Water Tenure in Latin America and the Caribbean,a forum aimed at strengthening water governance and developing recommendations that reflect the region's territorial and sectoral diversity. The meeting brought together representatives from governments, international organizations, community organizations, academia, and the private sector.

As part of the Regional Dialogue agenda, a high-level panel was held on regional experiences of States in water governance. During this panel, alongside government representatives and strategic allies, Orlando Chirinos, Deputy Minister of Family Farming Development, Agricultural Infrastructure, and Irrigation of Peru and president of the Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA), participated.

In that space, the Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to integrate water into the agricultural agenda: "PLACA has promoted water as a cross-cutting theme of climate action in agriculture, promoting the generation of regional evidence, technical exchange among peers, and the development of concrete products that strengthen decision-making and public policy formulation," he said. 

The challenges associated with water management are neither isolated nor unique to any one country. Asymmetry in water distribution, conflicts over access, informal rights, and the impacts of climate change at the local level are shared problems throughout the region. Considering that agriculture is the main user of water in the region, advancing clear and equitable tenure frameworks is very important for strengthening governance, food security, and reducing vulnerabilities to climate change. In this context, PLACA is consolidating itself as a space for coordination that contributes to connecting agendas that often advance in parallel: water, agriculture, climate change, territorial equity, and governance.

Participation in this type of regional forum reinforces the importance of maintaining dialogue between countries and various sectors in order to advance common approaches to water management. Initiatives such as this Regional Dialogue contribute to the continuity of ongoing processes and strengthen cooperation on water resource governance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Links of interest:

• Series of webinars on technical irrigation and efficient use of water resources
• Proposals for efficient water use in agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Support for information generation. Reporting and monitoring of indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 in the Latin America and Caribbean region

The FAO brought to COP30 an agenda marked by the water-food nexus, climate action in agriculture, and the promotion of aquatic food systems. The organization highlighted the urgency of strengthening adaptation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

November 26, 2025.

With calls to strengthen climate adaptation and accelerate the transformation of food systems, the FAO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean rolled out a high-level agenda during COP30.

The week kicked off with a high-level event that focused on promoting integrated climate and nutrition measures to drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals related to food, nutrition, and health. Experts agreed that cross-sector coordination will be crucial to protecting the populations most affected by the climate crisis.

The ocean was a priority issue on the agenda. The United Nations Specialized Agency participated in discussions on blue transformation, highlighting the contribution of aquatic food systems and women's leadership in fisheries and aquaculture. The panel "Algae and aquatic foods: blue solutions for climate resilience" highlighted opportunities to diversify production and strengthen adaptation in coastal communities.

A regional milestone was the meeting of the Platform for Climate Action in Agriculture for Latin America and the Caribbean (PLACA), which brings together the region's ministries of agriculture and where FAO acts as technical secretariat. At the high-level session, authorities reaffirmed their commitment to stronger cooperation and highlighted how PLACA provides a shared agenda that recognizes the urgency of moving from climate agreements to concrete actions.

"Agri-food system solutions are also climate solutions, as they help reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, restore ecosystems, and protect food security and livelihoods for all populations," emphasized Maya Takagi, FAO regional program leader, who headed the organization's regional delegation.

The Amazon also played a prominent role. Addressing and reducing vulnerabilities in one of the most exposed regions on the planet, and the potential of the socio-bioeconomy as a means of conserving biodiversity and generating sustainable income, were part of the agenda.

The organization concluded its participation by reiterating its technical support for countries in the region and its commitment to promoting more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the face of an increasingly challenging climate scenario.

This tool was developed by professionals from the Ministries of Agriculture participating in PLACA, with the aim of providing clarity and consistency in the use of specific terminology among countries in the region.

 

November 2025. The Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) published the Glossary of Terms in Climate Action and Agriculture, a technical tool that brings together 142 key terms related to climate action, sustainable agriculture, and environmental governance.

This document is the result of a joint effort by professionals from the Ministries of Agriculture that make up PLACA, aimed at providing clarity and consistency in the use of specific terminology among countries in the region. This common technical reference tool seeks to facilitate work among ministry teams, decision-makers, researchers, students, local stakeholders, and the general public.

The Glossary of Terms was developed by the Thematic Working Group on Research, Development, and Technological Innovation (TWG4), with contributions from the Platform's other working groups. Its development was a collaborative process that reflects the countries' commitment to promoting a common understanding of some key concepts in the field of agriculture and climate change.

“This information resource is more than a compendium of definitions; it is an example of how the interconnected work of ministries of agriculture can become useful tools at the service of the region, facilitating technical and political dialogue through a common language in agriculture and climate” said Abigail Alvarado, PLACA´s Coordinator.

The PDF document condenses the 497 terms in the complete glossary available on the Platform's website, prioritizing the 142 concepts most relevant to climate action in agriculture without neglecting concepts from processes currently being carried out by the UNFCCC, such as the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement or the Global Adaptation Goal. Each term has a clear, concise definition backed by relevant scientific sources, making the glossary a useful and accessible technical reference for the region.

With this resource, PLACA reaffirms its commitment to capacity building and the creation of practical tools that support the Ministries of Agriculture in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

More information

https://accionclimaticaplaca.org/en/listing/glosario-de-terminos/

Tth Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture en Agricultura (PLACA), with the of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, led a series of virtual events as part of the preparatory actions for the work agendas of the upcoming of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30. 

 

October 21, 2025. From August 19 to October 15, the Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) held a series of virtual dialogues entitled: "Road to COP30: Review of a roadmap for climate action in agriculture", which sought to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of the PLACA member countriesthat will participate in the negotiation processes at the next United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). 

From the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as technical secretariat of PLACA, Luiz Beduschi, Senior Rural Development Policy Officer and Coordinator of the Regional Priority of Better Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed the importance of these spaces to strengthen regional action. 

"Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most powerful solutions to climate change. With these dialogues in the run-up to COP30, we are strengthening the capacities of the countries so that the voice of the region's agrifood sector can play a central role in international negotiations," he said. 

Sharm El-Sheikh 

Following the 62nd Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Bonn in June this year - a key interim event held every year in preparation for the next climate summit - PLACA organized a first virtual event to present an updated overview towards COP30.  

This webinar provided, on the one hand, a general context on COP30 and how Brazil is preparing; and, on the other hand, analyzed the results of the 62nd session, identifying common priorities and aligning technical and political positions, particularly in relation to the implementation of the decision adopted in Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27), which addresses the need for specific climate action in the agricultural sector and food security, recognizing the importance of the sector in the response to global climate change.  

Panelists from Chile, Ecuador and Paraguay agreed that the region is already at the stage of implementing concrete actions, stressing that access to financing and the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal will be key to this process.  

They also stressed the importance of working together and training to influence the negotiation process. They also stressed that agriculture should continue to be a priority in the negotiations. 

Nationally Determined Contributions 

In the second event, the dialogue focused on the role of agriculture in the new 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Regional experiences, tools and innovations were shared to align adaptation, mitigation and national planning processes; and methodologies and tools to strengthen the sector's Measurement, Reporting and Verification systems were explored. 

Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru made presentations, stressing the need to incorporate NDCs into the work of the agricultural sector and emphasizing that the inclusion of agriculture requires the coordination of decrees, policies and other institutional mechanisms to create the necessary conditions.    

Also, emphasis was placed on strengthening communication and coordination between the agricultural sector, the environmental sector and other actors, such as the private sector and international cooperation agencies, in order to achieve common objectives and strengthen monitoring, reporting and verification systems. In this line, public, private and academic interinstitutionality emerged as a fundamental axis to determine methodologies and lines of work and data review. 

Paris Agreement 

The September 9 meeting addressed the challenges and opportunities for developing countries in the interaction between Articles 5 and 6 of the Paris Agreement to integrate REDD+ and market mechanisms in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector; regional experiences and good practices to ensure environmental integrity, equity in benefits and effective participation. 

Loss and damage in agriculture 

On October 15, the fourth and last session of the webinar series was held. This time the dialogue focused on the Loss and Damage Fund for the agricultural sector in the region. Leading panelists from FAO and Honduras analyzed the eligibility criteria for proposals, methodologies for measuring agricultural losses and how to ensure that global response mechanisms are aligned with the needs of rural communities. 

With this series of webinars, PLACA continues to carry out actions that consolidate it as a technical instrument for regional cooperation that promotes the exchange of experiences and knowledge among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Under a South-South cooperation approach, the Platform strengthens the capacities of the ministries of agriculture and builds bridges of collaboration with other international institutions and organizations that connect national priorities with the global climate agenda in the run-up to COP30, to be held from 10 to 21 November in Belém do Pará, Brazil. 

With FAO´s support, the climate action platform concluded its annual assembly with solutions that will serve as inputs for global negotiations on climate change.

 

July 24, 2025. The Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) concluded its Annual Assembly today in Guatemala City. The two-day meeting brought together representatives of the 18 member countries, marking a milestone in the region's preparations for the COP30 Climate Change Summit to be held in Belém, Brazil, this year.

With the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which acts as the Secretariat, PLACA has been consolidating its role as a regional articulator, facilitating collaboration between countries and promoting solutions aligned with the priorities of the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), and more recently considering the Loss and Damage framework.

"This Assembly demonstrated PLACA's ability to translate local needs into concrete proposals for global negotiations, positioning our agri-food systems as a fundamental part of the climate solution," explained María Mercedes Proaño, FAO Climate Finance Officer.

During the Assembly, an exchange was held on Agroclimatic Technical Tables and anticipatory actions, highlighting their value for decision making in this area. Priorities included the importance of developing common indicators to make visible the sector's contribution to climate commitments and the promotion of strategic alliances that connect PLACA's technical work with financing opportunities and political advocacy in global spaces.

In the area of climate negotiations, the countries discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the region in the various forums of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, from COP29 to the regional workshop for Latin America on international negotiations on agriculture.  

Emphasis was also placed on the perspectives and guidelines for COP30, highlighting the importance of data-based decision making to promote national agricultural policies.

PLACA also noted that more than 2,200 professionals have been trained in topics such as rural extension, technified irrigation, sustainable soil management, negotiations in agriculture, or policies in national or sectoral adaptation or mitigation plans, through its four Thematic Working Groups, coordinated by the ministries of Ecuador, Chile, Mexico and Guatemala, which promote cooperation and exchange among the member countries.

En la Asamblea, también participaron organizaciones como el Programa Mundial de Alimentos en Guatemala, el Banco Mundial y el Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical.

New presidency

Guatemala presented the milestones of its work as chair of the platform over the last twelve months, emphasizing a technical document on Agroclimatic Technical Tables, a Policy Note on SDG 6.4, and the incorporation of Belize and Honduras as new member countries.

Peru assumed the leadership of the mechanism for the period 2025-2026 with the commitment to strengthen the political positioning of the Platform at the regional and multilateral levels.

Brazil was elected as the new co-presidency of PLACA and will accompany Peru in the 2025-2026 period.

"FAO's office for Latin America and the Caribbean is assisting multiple initiatives that seek to position sustainable food systems as a key solution to climate change. This is a fundamental discussion ahead of the COP on Climate Change to be held in Brazil this year," said María Mercedes Proaño.

PLACA competition

With the aim of promoting sustainable practices in the face of climate change, PLACA today launched the call for entries for the fourth edition of its regional competition for practical and low-cost technological solutions for climate action, focusing on resilient livestock farming, responsible fishing and sustainable aquaculture.

Applications will be accepted from July 24 to September 28.

The Platform for Climate Action in Agriculture is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which heads the secretariat of the mechanism.

 

July 23, 2025. With the aim of promoting sustainable practices in the face of climate change, the Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) today launched the call for entries for the fourth edition of its regional competition for practical and low-cost technological solutions for climate action, focusing on resilient livestock, responsible and sustainable fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture. The initiative, which has the technical support of FAO, seeks to identify and disseminate innovative, practical and replicable solutions, developed from local resources or with reduced costs.

FAO projects a 20% increase in global demand for animal protein by 2050, a scenario in which the region can consolidate its position as a strategic supplier, since it is home to 8.5% of the global population, but has 28% of the world's livestock production. It also produces more than 15 million tons of fishery products per year, and aquaculture has shown sustained growth of 7.7% since 2000, which offers an opportunity (FAO figures 2023).

"This contest is part of PLACA's efforts to make visible accessible technologies that contribute to climate change adaptation, emissions reduction and the strengthening of sustainable livelihoods in agri-food systems, with a territorial approach," said Maria Mercedes Proaño, FAO Climate Finance Officer.

The 2025 edition of the competition, organized by PLACA's Thematic Working Group on Knowledge Management (TWG3), is focused on three main thematic lines:

Resilient and climate-adapted livestock (terrestrial species)

Emphasis: Identify technological solutions or innovative practices that promote livestock systems (Proposal A: cattle, sheep, goats + non-traditional livestock; camelids, poultry, rabbits, beekeeping, entomoculture): Non-traditional livestock; camelids, poultry, rabbit farming, beekeeping, entomoculture)] that increase productivity, reduce emissions, sustainably manage the resources used and derived from production, incorporate circular economy, improve animal welfare, and strengthen productive sustainability in the face of climate change.

Sustainable aquaculture (aquatic species)

Emphasis Identify technological solutions or innovative practices that promote sustainable farming systems or strategic aquaculture species (fish, mollusks, crustaceans, macroalgae, among others) that contribute to greater efficiency in the use of inputs, significantly reduce the environmental footprint, promote integrated and rational water management, increase food production, and strengthen productive sustainability in the face of climate change.

Responsible fishing (aquatic species)

Emphasis Identify technological solutions, innovative practices or applied conservation measures that promote sustainable management, management or harvesting, as well as the conservation of marine species and ecosystems, that reduce the impacts of the activity and promote sustainability.

The call is aimed at researchers, technicians, extensionists, academics, producers, young people, indigenous peoples, rural communities and organizations linked to family agriculture or small-scale production systems.

Applications will be accepted from July 24 to September 28.

 

PLACA´s Solution Bank

The selected initiatives will receive regional recognition and will become part of PLACA's Technological Solutions Bank, an open consultation tool that already gathers 197 solutions from 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

PLACA, the World Bank and IICA are launching a series of podcasts aimed at disseminating this new approach to agriculture and raising awareness of the importance of Climate-Smart Agriculture in the current context.  

 

Junio de 2025.- The The Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA), the World Bank and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have joined forces to launch "Cultivating Climate Action", a series of six podcasts that seeks to bring the public closer to the fundamentals and benefits of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). 

This regional alliance seeks to promote knowledge and the systematic adoption of sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change. Through an agile and evidence-based conversation, each episode presents the contribution of specialists and concrete experiences that help to understand how CSA can improve agricultural productivity, reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. 

«This joint effort with the World Bank and IICA reflects the spirit of cooperation that drives PLACA as a regional platform. This series of podcasts is a tool to bring technical knowledge closer to the countries, make visible solutions focused on the Latin American context and reinforce the shared commitment to more sustainable and resilient production models to the effects of climate change.”Abigail Alvarado, coordinator of PLACA.  

Episodes 

The first three episodes of the podcast are now available on Spotify, and each focuses on a key dimension of Climate-Smart Agriculture 

• What is Climate-Smart Agriculture and why is it important? 

• CSA and the health of agricultural soils. 

• The relationship between CSA and sustainable water management 

These episodes, based on concrete experiences and technical evidence, explore the opportunities offered by CSA to transform agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting sustainable and resilient practices. 

Podcast available

https://open.spotify.com/show/5WH06B7az79P87AyDYLIzv?si=77b6dfdfe57e4ef1

A collaboration driving climate action in agriculture since 2015, aiming to transform agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean

• 2012

In 2012, the idea of creating a regional mechanism to promote the exchange of practices and foster collaboration in agriculture to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean began to take shape. With the support of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the first steps were taken through negotiations and dialogues.

• 2015

Years later, in 2015, the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), now the Alliance Bioversity and CIAT, joined the effort by participating in the Latin American Dialogues on Agriculture and Climate Change. These discussions focused on key ideas to strengthen the countries' capacities to address the impacts of climate change on their agri-food systems.

• 2019

PLACA was officially launched on December 5, 2019, during COP25 in Madrid, under the leadership of Chile and with the commitment of nine other countries: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. Since then, CGIAR and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT scientists have contributed their technical expertise to PLACA’s various Thematic Working Groups, aiming to strengthen regional capacities in key areas such as climate services, sustainable livestock production systems, and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA).

• 2023

El CGIAR y la Alianza Bioversity-CIAT, han respaldado diversas iniciativas lideradas por PLACA, incluyendo la participación como jueces expertos en concursos que promueven soluciones climáticas innovadoras y de bajo costo, como el concurso de 2023 «Soluciones Tecnológicas de Bajo Costo y/o de Origen Local» y el de 2024 «Soluciones de Bajo Costo para la Acción Climática en la Ganadería». Estas colaboraciones reflejan el compromiso del CGIAR y la Alianza Bioversity-CIAT, con el fortalecimiento de capacidades regionales y el impulso de acciones concretas frente al cambio climático en América Latina y el Caribe.

Beyond technical collaboration, PLACA, CGIAR, and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT have joined forces to organize high-level events aimed at positioning climate action as a regional priority. These efforts have significantly increased the visibility of the issue and promoted cooperation among countries. In 2023, during the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week, these organizations led a series of Climate Action webinars that highlighted the importance of scientific contributions and regional collaboration. The series featured over 20 panelists from various countries and attracted approximately 400 participants.

• 2024

In 2024, this synergy continued with a series of four workshops on Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees (LTACs), organized by PLACA in collaboration with the Alliance Bioversity and CIAT and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These workshops aimed to strengthen countries' capacities in inter institutional coordination, improve impact evaluation mechanisms, and adapt the implementation of LTACs to specific territorial contexts.

As a result, countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic began dialogue, analysis, and planning processes to better understand the LTAC approach and explore its implementation in their national contexts. These sessions also fostered collaboration and exchange among countries, allowing those with prior experience to share lessons learned and best practices. A notable example was the exchange between Guatemala and El Salvador, in which Guatemalan representatives provided direct guidance based on their own experience to support El Salvador in designing its own LTACs.

“Our alliance with PLACA reflects a shared commitment to transforming the agri-food systems of Latin America and the Caribbean through science and innovation. At CGIAR and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, we will continue to support countries with evidence and solutions tailored to their needs.” Deissy Martínez-Barón, Regional Climate Action Leader for Latin America and the Caribbean, Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT.

Abigail Alvarado, PLACA’s coordinator, affirms: “The cooperation between PLACA and CGIAR / Alliance Bioversity-CIAT reflects our commitment to evidence-based climate action, co-constructed with the Platform's 18 member countries and focused on the specific needs of the agri-food sector. From PLACA, with FAO’s support, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening this strategic alliance with CGIAR and the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, promoting technical capacities, facilitating interinstitutional exchange, and positioning PLACA as a key instrument to foster agricultural resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean.”.

With the continued commitment of PLACA, CGIAR, and the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, the collaboration between these organizations is becoming a driving force for advancing climate action in agriculture across the region.

More information

• Website of CGIAR and the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT
• Website of PLACA