Forty countries from the Asia-Pacific region agreed that transforming agrifood systems was crucial to ensuring food security for future generations and beyond. A report of the 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC37) was presented and collectively endorsed by the participants at its conclusion. Hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka, the conference was held from 19-22 February 2024. In addition, prior to the conference, a virtual senior official's meeting (SOM) engaged high-level participants from January 31 - February 2. The insights derived from the SOM played a pivotal role in shaping the initial draft of the APRC37 report, which was finalized during the closing stages of the APRC37.

High level ministerial delegations from seven Pacific nations, including Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, actively participated in the event on-site, while Nauru joined virtually, showcasing a commitment to regional collaboration and recovery in the face of challenges.

The Ministers and Heads of Delegation from the Pacific actively participated in eight roundtable discussions and special events, including a Special Ministerial Meeting for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). Additionally, as a part of APRC37, delegations from Samoa, Fiji, Palau and Marshall Islands had the opportunity to engage in bilateral meetings with Dr. Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General, accompanied by Xiangjun Yao, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and other FAO Senior Managers. These meetings served as a platform to discuss national priorities and explore future collaborations aimed at fostering agri-food transformation of the Pacific Members.

The other sessions of APRC37 focused on lessons learned from the lessons from convergent crises and actions going forward; another on innovation through modernization and digitization for smallholders in aquaculture and livestock; building resilience through agrifood system transformation, the need for investment and financing for poverty reduction and modernization, and another on saving food and water and reducing food loss and waste. Another special ministerial event on the final day of APRC37 focused on Agrotourism in Asia and the Pacific, exploring how it could accelerate rural development and enhance livelihoods.  

Prioritization of National Needs for Agri Food Systems Transformation in the Pacific.

The following are brief overviews of remarks delivered by the heads of delegation of the Pacific countries throughout the Plenary Session on Prioritizing National and Regional Needs: Statements of country. 

“Fiji is committed to embracing technological advancements and digital solutions to drive the agricultural sector forward. Through strategic partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and investment in research and development, we aim to empower our farmers and fishers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Fiji will be co-hosting with FAO the “2024 Pacific SIDs Solution Forum” later in the year. Fiji’s collaboration with FAO plays a key role in achieving the SDGs through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance,” stated Kalaveti Vodo Ravu, Minister for Forests and Fisheries, Fiji.

“Our Republic has 42,000 people scattered over 2.1 million square kilometers of territorial waters. And like the Maldives, Kiribati, and Tvalu, our nation is one of the lowest-lying coral atolls in the world, which means we will be one of the very first to go due to the effects of climate change. Our Republic has some assets at our disposal. We are a member of the parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), the world's largest sustainable fisheries. One-third of PNA catches come through our capital, Majuro, making us the world's largest transshipment port." stated Anthony M. Muller, Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce, Marshall Islands. 

“We are far from reducing our dependence on food imports and averting the next crisis. To add to that, our population continues to grow. So does the competition for land and the need to produce more food. It is with this realization that our government has taken the lead in launching the Higher Ground Initiative. With the goal of sustainably managing land and increasing food production while delivering positive agro ecological outcomes and long-term resilience. While Nauru values the effort we receive from FAO, it is mostly in the form of technical assistance. More can be done. Systemic transnational transformation starts at the country level and our pathway represents measures to shape the future. The future we want to see for Nauru is one of food sovereignty,” stated Jesse Jeremiah, Minister for Environmental Management and Agriculture, Nauru. 

“Niue supports the drive towards more innovation and capacity building initiatives that are fit for purpose within the agricultural sector and encourages FAO's innovation in data, research, and technology that will entice youth towards working in the agriculture and food sectors. Our support to the four betters under the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 in supporting the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to a more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food system for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, by leaving no one behind,” stated Emani Fakaotimanava, Lui Emani Lui, Associate Minister for Natural Resources, Niue.   

“We must recognize that agriculture offers immense potential for innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful employment, particularly in sustainable and climate-smart practices. That is why one of our key priorities as a government is to implement the first public-private partnership with selected Palauan farmers to develop a commercial farm that is appropriate for Palau’s context and blends our traditional farming practices, our strong environmental policies, and modern agricultural innovation as part of transforming our agrifood system to develop the next generation of Palauan farmers.” stated Steven Victor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment, Palau. 

“In light of the unique challenges facing our region, including the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, climate change, and the vulnerability of small island states to external shocks, it is imperative that we adopt a holistic approach to agricultural and fisheries development. This approach must encompass measures to enhance resilience, promote innovation, and ensure equitable access to resources and markets,” stated La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Samoa. 

“The repetition of pre-disaster preparedness, disaster entrants and post-disaster recovery is a constant part of our multi-disaster world. Hence, the national strategy for the transformation of our agri-food system is in three phases. First, the resiliency of the pre-disaster preparedness phase. Secondly, the resilience of our capacity to withstand these repeated disasters, the rising sea levels, and the rising temperature. The third and last is resiliency in the capacity to recover from these disasters. So, the cycle is repeated every two to four years.” stated Sione Siale Fohe, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests/Acting Minister of Fisheries, Tonga. 

“Vanuatu experiences more than two natural disasters every 12 months. For example, it is not uncommon that while conducting an impact assessment following a volcanic eruption, the affected farmers would also need to further relocate to safer measures from an approaching tropical cyclone. Within this fragile context of the agri-food system that Vanuatu confronts, our farmers have also increasingly become resilient. But this context also highlights the criticality of our reliable partnership with the FAO.” stated Antoine Ravo, Acting Director General, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity, Vanuatu.