Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agriculture

Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy Released!

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

With a mandate on focussing on the poorest and most vulnerable and on fragile states, the International Development Minister recently unveiled the much anticipated policy indicating the country’s priorities for addressing international development.  Resulting from broad consultations involving some 65 countries, the policy seeks to tackle inequality and exclusion as root causes of poverty.​

Known as Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, it is premised on the belief that when women and girls are given equal opportunities to succeed, they evoke a multiplier effect thereby driving economic growth, encouraging peace and cooperation and improving the quality of life for families and communities

Six action areas are identified:

It is Canada’s intention to ensure that the funds available are used to complement and leverage other development funds as well as integrate with other objectives such as trade. Initiatives should therefore foster inclusive growth, create jobs and improve incomes.  The policy indicates that innovation will be factored in providing international assistance, encouraging greater experimentation and scaling-up of new solutions to development challenges.  As such, partnerships with academia, research organizations, private sector as well as the Canadian International Development Research Centre will be of increasing significance.

While agriculture was not featured in the policy, by virtue of its role in food and nutrition security, environmental sustainability as well as employment, it is de facto an important driver that underpins the planned results.  IICA has long embraced inclusion and innovation as cross-cutting themes within its technical cooperation programs, notwithstanding its Flagship project on Inclusion in Agriculture.   The willingness of the Canadian Government to forge effective partnerships in delivering international assistance, paves the way for our Inter-American organization.

According to Global Affairs Canada, “This new approach will enable Canada to maximize the effectiveness of its international assistance, provide more integrated and responsive assistance, invest in innovation and research, deliver better reporting on results, develop more effective partnerships, and concentrate on those regions of the world where we can make the greatest difference in reducing poverty and inequality, particularly for women and girls.”

Delegations  are encouraged to visit the website : http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng to get familiar with the priorities and in countries where the Canadian mission has a resident Development representative, to start the dialogue towards identifying regional or bilateral opportunities.

 

Share

Related news​

Brasilia, Brasil

October 17, 2025

Macarena Valdés and Marco Aceituno, small-scale Chilean producers who have thrived under challenging conditions, will take part in the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas in Brasília

Macarena Valdés and Marco Aceituno, creators of a farm where food production has flourished despite the severe drought that has afflicted Chile in recent years, will be among the speakers at the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2025, to be held from November 3 to 5 in Brasília.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

El Director General del IICA, Manuel Otero, destacó que la decisión del Banco Mundial de duplicar sus inversiones en el sector agropecuario refuerza la importancia de los pequeños agricultores y reconoce el papel de América Latina y el Caribe en la seguridad alimentaria global.

San Jose, Costa Rica

October 16, 2025

IICA Director General  welcomes World Bank’s decision to double its investments to strengthen the role of small-scale farmers and expresses willingness to work together in Latin America and the Caribbean

Otero stated that IICA stands ready to assist the World Bank in helping small-scale farmers to increase their productivity, scale up and connect to value chains that can increase their income. To that end, IICA will tap into its broad experience in the region, where it works together with various strategic partners from the public and private sectors.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

October 15, 2025

Hemispheric dialogue at IICA identifies effective governance, strategic public spending and innovative green funding as key elements to strengthen regional agrifood systems

During a hemispheric dialogue held at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), government leaders, representatives of international agencies and regional agrifood sector experts agreed on roadmaps for strengthening institutional frameworks and coordinating public policies in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins