Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agriculture

A New Type of Cooperation Formalized

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), provides the framework for engaging the services and support of the Delegation to sensitize and prepare Paraguayan agribusiness sector to meet regulatory requirements in Canada

H.E Ines Martinez Valinotti, Ambassador of Paraguay, Mr. Luis Fernando 
Avalos, Deputy Minister of Economic Relations and Integration. Dr. Audia 
Barnett, IICA Canada Representative.

The Delegation in Canada has a very cordial and open relationship with Latin American and Caribbean country missions in Canada, often hosting information-sharing  sessions, facilitating connections in Canada, as well as conducting joint events. These interactions help to heighten the role of IICA in their home countries as well as here in Canada.  Shortly after her arrival to Canada, Ambassador of Paraguay, Ines Martinez Valinotti sought to go a step further and formalize the relationship.

The agreement with the Embassy, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), provides the framework for engaging the services and support of the Delegation to sensitize and prepare Paraguayan agribusiness sector to meet regulatory requirements in Canada as well other technical cooperation activities.  The MOU was signed on the eve of the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Mercosur and Canada.

The objective of a new FTA is to increase economic opportunities for the benefit of all member countries of Mercosur, namely – Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. 

The Canadian government has expressed commitment to ensuring that a Canada-Mercosur trade agreement will include provisions for sharing the benefits of trade among all, including women, youth, Indigenous people, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the middle class. 

IICA Delegations in Canada and Paraguay are being perceived as knowledge brokers and facilitators to ensure that mutually beneficial prospects in the agri-food sector are embraced, particularly as new opportunities are anticipated with a Mercosur- Canada  FTA.

For more information:

Dr. Audia Barnett

audia.barnett@iica.int

Share

Related news​

Ribeirao Preto, Brasil

June 27, 2025

At the IFAMA World Conference, IICA Director General underscored the need to build a new narrative for agriculture to be recognized as essential for solutions to planetary challenges

The Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Manuel Otero, participated in Brazil in one of the largest global conferences in the agricultural sector, IFAMA, where he emphasized the need to build a new narrative highlighting the essential role of agriculture in the Americas as part of the solution to the challenges facing humanity.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Montreal, Canadá

June 26, 2025

Countries of the Americas positioned themselves as global suppliers of sustainable aviation fuels at key industry event held in Montreal

The Pan American Coalition on Liquid Biofuels (CPBIO) had a prominent role at the Aviation Climate Week of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), held in Montreal (Canada), with the participation of leading actors in the sector who discussed the latest developments in environmental matters.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Brasilia, Brazil

June 25, 2025

IICA strengthens its partnership with EMBRAPA and is set to install its Home of Sustainable Agriculture of the Americas pavilion in the “AgriZone” at COP30

During the meeting, the senior EMBRAPA and IICA officials also exchanged ideas on how to deepen reciprocal collaboration at the international level, with a focus on cooperation with countries in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins