The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Pan-American Association of Agricultural Engineers (APIA) have concluded a cooperation agreement to strengthen agricultural development in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Through the cooperation, the organisations aim, among other things, to promote food security, stimulate technological innovation and better prepare the agricultural sector for climate change.
The agreement has a term of four years and was signed during a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by IICA Director-General Muhammad Ibrahim and APIA Chairman Luis Armando Castilla Lozano. Representatives of the World Association of Agronomists (WAA) and IICA technical staff also took part in the meeting.
According to Ibrahim, the cooperation represents an important step towards a stronger regional approach to the challenges facing the agricultural sector. These include climate resilience, food production, sustainable management of natural resources and improving living conditions in rural areas.
The agreement aligns with IICA’s strategic multi-year plan for the 2026–2030 period. This plan focuses on modernising agricultural and food systems, reducing rural poverty and strengthening food security.
Ibrahim stressed that the cooperation should also contribute to a better exchange of scientific knowledge and technical expertise among countries in the region. By bringing together existing networks and expertise, both organisations hope to make agricultural innovations accessible more quickly.
Agricultural engineers given important role
During the signing, APIA Chairman Castilla Lozano pointed to the growing responsibility of agricultural engineers in addressing social and economic challenges.
According to him, food security goes beyond merely producing sufficient food. The quality of agricultural products, the health of agricultural soils and the responsible use of natural resources are also of great importance.
He stated that agricultural professionals can make an important contribution to developing solutions for climate change and the increasing pressure on food supplies.
With the agreement, IICA and APIA therefore also aim to strengthen the position of agricultural engineers and create more opportunities for professional development, scientific research and international cooperation.
Five priorities for cooperation
The organisations have identified five key areas of work. These concern international trade, regional integration and agribusiness; agricultural health and food safety; science, technology and innovation; sustainable management of natural resources; and strengthening the position and recognition of agricultural professional groups.
Within these areas, joint projects will be developed to stimulate technological innovations in agricultural production. This includes research into agricultural techniques that are better suited to the climatic and ecological conditions in the various countries.
In addition, the organisations want to promote the use of sustainable production methods and focus on the bioeconomy and circular economy. The efficient use of raw materials and limiting waste are central to this.
Training courses, technical advisory programmes and scientific exchanges are also planned. These activities should better equip agricultural professionals to apply new technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.
Cooperation has existed for more than thirty years
The cooperation between IICA and APIA has a long history. In 1994, IICA supported the establishment of APIA in Santiago, Chile.
Since then, APIA has advocated for the representation of agricultural professionals in the Americas and for promoting academic quality, professional ethics and international cooperation.
The association is also affiliated with the World Association of Agronomists, an international organisation that focuses, among other things, on sustainable agricultural production, combating rural poverty and the responsible management of natural resources.
With the new agreement, IICA and APIA aim to further expand their existing cooperation and involve agricultural professionals more explicitly in the development of future-proof agricultural systems in the region.
