During the presentation of its Economy and Development Report in San Jose, the Bank emphasized its role as a strategic ally of Costa Rica, through its provision of technical cooperation, financing and support in the search for and implementation of solutions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.

The speakers were Álvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture of Guyana; Christopher Neale, Director of Research at the University of Nebraska’s Daugherty Water for Food Institute; and Fernando Schwanke, IICA Project Director. Margaret Ziegler, IICA Representative in the United States, introduced the panel members and moderated the discussion.

A través de la acción colectiva, la ciencia y la innovación están dando pasos relevantes para hacer más resiliente al banano ante la difusión de pestes y enfermedades que ponen en riesgo este cultivo y, por consiguiente, amenazan la seguridad alimentaria global.

This occurred during three days of work in which they exchanged experiences on the progress made in agriculture in both countries in favor of greater sustainability.

The meeting was used to address matters such as the promotion of the cooperative movement, digital agriculture, good practices and the management of water resources as the key elements for generating transformative actions.

In addition to discussing new diversified farming models with Vilsack, Otero informed the U.S. Secretary of IICA’s work related to rural development and building climate resilience alongside farmers in Latin America and the Caribbean.