FAQ

PLACA is a regional mechanism for voluntary collaboration among the ministries of agriculture of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries on agriculture and climate change, aimed at promoting productive agricultural development that is adapted to the effects of climate change, resilient, and low in greenhouse gas emissions. 

It is currently the only platform in the region specializing in agriculture and climate change, with a focus on: building capacity, fostering knowledge sharing, and supporting countries in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

To promote and strengthen collaboration among participating LAC countries, as well as with initiatives, multi-stakeholder platforms, partnerships, and regional and international institutions, for the implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures aimed at supporting regional and national strategies related to the impacts of climate change and climate variability on the agricultural sector, taking into account social, environmental, and economic dimensions, and seeking synergies with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 2030 Agenda, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, and the Conventions on Biological Diversity and on Combating Desertification and Drought. 

PLACA comprises 19 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, represented by their Ministries of Agriculture. The current member countries are: Argentina, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

The Presidency and Co-Presidency are held by member countries of the Platform and rotate annually (from July to July). Currently, Peru holds the Presidency and Brazil the Co-Presidency.

The work is organized through a governance structure that includes the Chair and Co-Chair, the Focal Points designated by each country, the Technical Secretariat, and the Thematic Working Groups (TWGs).

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) serves as the secretariat for the mechanism.

The Secretariat is responsible for coordinating with ministries of agriculture, Focal Points, partner institutions, coordinators, and members of the Thematic Working Groups. It also provides technical, administrative, and logistical support to the platform, ensuring the efficient operation of its activities. Its primary role is to support the Chair and Co-Chair, organize and follow up on Assembly meetings, manage internal and external communications, and facilitate the implementation of the Annual Work Plan in coordination with the Chair, the Co-Chair, and the Thematic Working Groups. 

Each year, the incoming Presidency proposes a Work Plan for the following 12 months. This document is reviewed by the Focal Points of the member countries and subsequently presented at the Platform’s Annual Assembly, where it is put to a vote for approval.

PLACA produces a variety of technical and support resources for member countries, including technical documents, policy briefs, infographics, regional reports, guides for negotiators, and tools such as a glossary of terms. All of these resources are available in the repository on the PLACA website and are freely accessible.