The 22 countries of the Ibero-American Community have agreed to step up cooperation to strengthen their agrifood systems through the Córdoba Declaration, adopted during the 12th Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries. The document sets out a shared vision for the future of the agrifood sector in a region comprising nearly 700 million inhabitants.

The declaration addresses areas such as food and nutrition security, sustainable production, innovation and digitalization, water management, trade, generational renewal, and women's participation. Furthermore, for the first time in these ministerial conferences, issues related to fisheries and aquaculture have been included.

Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas highlighted Ibero-America's significance as an agri-food powerhouse and its contribution to global food security. He noted that the region possesses substantial productive capacity, natural resources, knowledge, and human capital, as well as a long history of cooperation.

The agreement comes against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, market volatility, sanitary risks, and climate-related disruptions. Faced with these challenges, countries view science, innovation, technology, and digitalization as essential for boosting productivity and creating opportunities in rural and coastal areas.

The Córdoba Declaration also emphasizes the need to strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation to protect human, animal, and plant health. Furthermore, it advocates for greater coordination between Ibero-American countries and specialized international organizations, and acknowledges the efforts to develop a Food Security and Nutrition Strategy for the region.

The conference brought together some twenty national delegations in Córdoba, Spain, alongside observers and international organizations. The meeting is part of the roadmap leading to the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for November in Madrid.

Colombia announced a new step in its strategy to internationalize its agricultural sector, following the Philippines' approval of the veterinary health certificates agreed upon with Colombia for beef and pork.

This decision paves the way for import permit applications to be processed by Philippine authorities for facilities and products that meet the established sanitary requirements. It formally opens the door for Colombian beef and pork to enter the Philippine market, subject to obtaining the necessary permits and complying with the conditions required by the country.

To ensure the success of this initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture—in coordination with the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), industry associations, and producers—will continue to support the process, aiming to translate this market opening into concrete commercial operations and new export opportunities.

With this progress, Colombia demonstrates that it is opening markets and that the Colombian agricultural sector is ready to export.

The group will meet for the first time this week and will consist of: Professor Claus Thustrup Kreiner from the University of Copenhagen Department of Economics, who will be the chairman of the group; Professor Lene Juul Pedersen from Aarhus University Department of Animal and Veterinary Science; and Statistician Martin Ulrik Jensen.

The quadripartite will begin work in the new year, with six months to find common solutions. At the start of the quadripartite's work, the expert group will deliver a discussion paper to the quadripartite that describes challenges, possible instruments, and highlights the economic, employment, and animal welfare consequences of various initiatives.