La Paz/Rome – The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Monday reconfirmed its commitment to protect and sustainably develop the camelid sector alongside Bolivia, as the Andean nation hosted the Regional Meeting on South American Camelids to celebrate the International Year of Camelids 2024.
The event, with the theme, Nourishing Life, Preserving the Future, underscores Bolivia’s leadership in promoting the cultural, economic, ecological, and social significance of South American camelids, while looking for ways to protect camelids and their habitats and the communities that depend on them.
Bolivia spearheaded the initiative to push for an International Year for these animals and it was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2017. The Andean nation along with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is playing a key role in its implementation. The Year aims to raise awareness of the integral role that camelids play in the lives of indigenous, native, and peasant communities in over 90 countries, particularly in desert and mountainous regions.
FAO, as the lead UN agency for the International Year, launched the Year at its headquarters in December 2023. FAO Director General QU Dongyu attended Monday’s opening session alongside Bolivian President, Luis Alberto Arce Catacora.
QU emphasized the cultural and environmental importance of camelids reaffirming the need to safeguard these species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
“During 2024, we have been working, together, to build awareness of the potential of camelids, and increase investment in research and extension to develop the camelid sector. It is critical that we continue working together beyond 2024 to sustainably develop the camelid sector as it has untapped potential to help advance global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs,” he said.
Bolivia’s Vice President David Choquehuanca Cespedes, Minister of Foreign Relations Celinda Sosa Lunda, and Minister of Rural Development and Lands Juan Yamil Flores were also present.
The meeting gathered governments, camelid producers, international organizations, and academic experts to address challenges in the camelid sector. The event provided a platform for fostering international cooperation and exchanging knowledge on sustainable practices to protect camelids, their habitats, and the communities that depend on them.
Camelids’ crucial role in the Andean Highlands
Bolivia’s advocacy aligns closely with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on poverty eradication, food security, gender equality, water management, and climate action.
In South America in particular, camelids, such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, have been essential to communities for millennia, providing not only economic resources but also cultural and symbolic value. South American camelids are an integral part of national strategies to decrease food insecurity, malnutrition and rural poverty. 200,000 families breed and manage these animals in the Andean highlands. In Bolivia for example, llamas are a vital source of meat and wool. Despite the high value of many products, the sector faces social and economic challenges.
Bolivia’s initiative focuses on the sustainable management of camelid species, which are crucial in areas at risk of desertification and environmental damage. Camelids are well-adapted to these fragile ecosystems, with low environmental impact and efficient grazing. However, they face threats like habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. The Regional Meeting aimed to address these challenges with innovative solutions and collaborative strategies.
FAO has been working in various ways to support camelid production and management across the globe. In Bolivia, for example, the Organization has been working with the government and local communities to promote sustainable and equitable management of alpaca fibre.
By promoting sustainable management of these animals, FAO is helping to conserve these ecosystems and protect the livelihoods of those who depend on them. FAO’s work with camelids is a key component of its broader efforts to advance sustainable livestock management and rural development.
