inequality impedes development in latin america, caribbean, says fao chief

Director General Addresses Regional Conference in Guatemala City

(Reissued as received.)

Guatemala city, 28 April (FAO) -- Social inequalities are impeding development in the Latin American and Caribbean region, the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jacques Diouf, warned today in a speech delivered to representatives and senior government officials attending the twenty-eighth FAO Regional Conference.

He said the FAO would continue its support for governments and other partners in the implementation of "coherent and effective programmes" and for the mobilization of domestic and external financing.

"In the current context of globalization, competitiveness is crucial for growth and development.  However, productivity should not conceal the inequalities of access to economic factors and the inequalities of income that affect millions of inhabitants of Latin America and the Caribbean, especially those living in rural areas", Dr. Diouf said.

High Inequalities

Dr. Diouf said that the inequalities in the region are among "the highest in the world", with the richest 5 per cent of the population receiving 25 per cent of income, as compared to 13 per cent in the developed countries.

"There are currently 221 million people living in poverty in the region and the number of rural poor has increased by 21 million since 1990", Dr. Diouf said.

The latest figures show that poverty affects 44 per cent of the region's inhabitants, rising to 64 per cent in rural areas.  There are more than 74 million rural poor in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lower Undernourishment

"It is, however, encouraging to note that the proportion of undernourished people fell from 13 per cent in 1990-1992 to 10 per cent in 1999-2001", Dr. Diouf said.

"If the countries continue their efforts to combat food insecurity, this proportion could fall to 6 per cent by 2015.  The initiatives undertaken by individual countries, notably the "Zero Hunger" programme of Brazil and the "Campaign against Hunger" recently launched by Guatemala, are very encouraging developments", he added.

Economic Resources and Political Will

FAO regional conferences meet every two years to discuss with member countries development priorities in the region.  The Guatemala Conference will examine the institutional and social conditions that are required for rural development projects to be integrated into a national policy capable of ensuring economic and social development.

"I am confident that, with capable leadership and the necessary political will, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean will be able to rise to the challenges of hunger, malnutrition, inequality and economic stagnation", Dr. Diouf said.

To improve food security, developing countries need to take up the challenge of agricultural productivity and market competitiveness, he added.

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