Havana, May 7 (PL-RHC) -- The fight against hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean has made progress over the last two decades, said Theodor Friedrich, representative of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Cuba.

It is "probably the only region that will reach the millennium goal in terms of hunger, despite the great differences that exist," Friedrich told the Granma newspaper.

"The objective to which we should aspire is to eradicate hunger," adding that in that sense, there are already public statements on record in the region, such as the declaration from the recent Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Friedrich stated that during the 33rd FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, starting today in Chile, regional progress in fighting hunger, malnutrition, and extreme poverty will be strengthened.

Strategies to foster sustainable development in agriculture and the progress for inclusive and efficient food systems are also on the agenda.

Issues such as food security, adaptation to climate change, family agriculture development, food production and trade, and South-South Cooperation among regional countries, will be discussed as well.

Friedrich stated that another existing problem is that the most productive countries, which already export food, are degrading their natural resources, endangering their sovereignty and the future of food security.

Cuba's actions for the eradication of hunger have been recognized by the FAO, although food imports remain above 70 percent on the island, with the exception of a few sectors, he said.