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From the Field From Latin American dialogues to a strategic partnership: PLACA, CGIAR and the Alliance in action for the future of agriculture

by Andrea Castellanos, Mercy Quintero

"This collaboration has been driving climate action in agriculture since 2015, aiming to transform agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean."

In 2012, the idea of creating a regional mechanism to promote the exchange of practices and foster collaboration in agriculture to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean began to take shape. With the support of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the first steps were taken through negotiations and dialogues.

Years later, in 2015, the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) - now part of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT - joined the effort by participating in the Latin American Dialogues on Agriculture and Climate Change. These discussions focused on key ideas to strengthen the countries' capacities to address the impacts of climate change on their agri-food systems.

PLACA was officially launched on December 5, 2019, during COP25 in Madrid, under the leadership of Chile and with the commitment of nine other countries: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay. Since then, scientists from CGIAR and the Alliance have contributed their technical expertise to PLACA’s various Thematic Working Groups, aiming to strengthen regional capacities in key areas such as climate services, sustainable livestock production systems, and climate-smart agriculture (CSA).

In addition, CGIAR and the Alliance have supported various initiatives led by PLACA, including serving as expert judges in competitions that promote innovative and low-cost climate solutions. These include the 2023 contest "Low-Cost and/or Locally Sourced Technological Solutions” and the 2024 contest "Low-Cost Solutions for Climate Action in Livestock." These collaborations reflect the ongoing commitment of CGIAR and the Alliance to strengthen regional capacities and advance concrete actions in response to climate change across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Beyond technical collaboration, PLACA, CGIAR, and the Alliance have joined forces to organize high-level events aimed at positioning climate action as a regional priority. These efforts have significantly increased the visibility of the issue and promoted cooperation among countries. In 2023, during the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week, these organizations led a series of Climate Action webinars that highlighted the importance of scientific contributions and regional collaboration. The series featured over 20 panelists from various countries and attracted approximately 400 participants.

In 2024, this synergy continued with a series of four workshops on Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees (LTACs), organized by PLACA in collaboration with the Alliance and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These workshops aimed to strengthen countries' capacities in inter institutional coordination, improve impact evaluation mechanisms, and adapt the implementation of LTACs to specific territorial contexts.

As a result, countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic began dialogue, analysis and planning processes to better understand the LTAC approach and explore its implementation in their national contexts. These sessions also fostered collaboration and exchange among countries, allowing those with prior experience to share lessons learned and best practices. A notable example was the exchange between Guatemala and El Salvador, in which Guatemalan representatives provided direct guidance based on their own experience to support El Salvador in designing its own LTACs.
 

“Our partnership with PLACA reflects a shared commitment to transforming the agri-food systems of Latin America and the Caribbean through science and innovation. At CGIAR and the Alliance, we will continue to support countries with evidence and solutions tailored to their needs.”
 — Deissy Martínez-Barón, Regional Climate Action Leader for Latin America and the Caribbean, Alliance of Bioversity International  and CIAT

The story of this collaboration is still being written. Abigail Alvarado, PLACA’s coordinator, affirms:

“The cooperation between PLACA, CGIAR and the Alliance reflects our commitment to evidence-based climate action, co-constructed with the platform's 16 member countries and focused on the specific needs of the agri-food sector. From PLACA, with FAO’s support, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership with CGIAR and the Alliance, promoting technical capacities, facilitating interinstitutional exchange, and positioning PLACA as a key instrument to foster agricultural resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean.”


With the continued commitment of PLACA, CGIAR, and the Alliance, the collaboration between these organizations is becoming a driving force for advancing climate action in agriculture across the region.

More information
CGIAR and Alliance Bioversity-CIAT Website
PLACA Website

Further reading