Rome – The Meals and Agriculture Group of the United Nations (FAO) formally launched the Worldwide Yr of Camelids 2024 as we speak at its Rome headquarters, to acknowledge and have a good time the very important contributions these animals make to livelihoods, meals safety, and vitamin.
Camelids, together with Bactrian camels, dromedary camels, and wild camels, in addition to South American camelids comparable to domesticated llamas and alpacas, and wild vicuñas and guanacos, play a pivotal function in numerous ecosystems. They’re notably essential in desert and mountain areas, the place they kind an integral a part of the livelihoods and conventional practices of indigenous communities.
On the launch occasion, FAO Director-Basic QU Dongyu underscored the cultural and environmental significance of camelids.
“Even in probably the most excessive weather conditions, they produce milk, meat, fibre and natural fertilizer, and supply transport, boosting meals safety, vitamin, and livelihoods whereas serving to to preserve fragile ecosystems. Camelids additionally construct resilience to the impacts of the local weather disaster – notably in mountains and drylands and may contribute to the transformation of agrifood techniques,” he mentioned.
“The Worldwide Yr of Camelids is a good alternative to spotlight and worth the financial, social and cultural significance of camelids across the globe – particularly extremely weak communities.”
Camelids, very important for thousands and thousands of households in over 90 nations, originated in America 45 million years in the past. Serving as working animals, they assist Indigenous Peoples and native communities in South America’s Andean highlands, in addition to the deserts of Africa and Asia. Bactrian camels and dromedaries, for instance, often called “ships of the desert,” are essential for nomadic life in drylands.
The Yr seeks to lift international consciousness of the multifaceted function of camelids not solely as sources of fiber, milk, and meat, but in addition as resilient and sustainable contributors to native economies. In difficult environments, camelids are indispensable for his or her skill to endure harsh situations and supply essential assist to communities.
The Worldwide Yr was proposed by the Authorities of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and accredited by the UN Basic Meeting in 2017. The Andean nation together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will play a key function in its implementation.
David Choquehuanca Céspedes, Vice President of Bolivia additionally addressed as we speak’s international ceremony, together with Mohammed Ahmed M. Alghamdi, the Everlasting Consultant of Saudi Arabia to the Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO).
Gerardine Mukeshimana, Vice President of the Worldwide Fund for Agricultural Improvement, delivered the keynote tackle.
Pamela Burger, Vice President, Worldwide Society of Camelid Analysis and Improvement offered a worldwide overview on camelids, and the occasion additionally featured a panel dialogue on how these animals nourish individuals and tradition. Thanawat Tiensin, Director, Animal Manufacturing and Well being Division at FAO moderated the occasion and shutting remarks have been delivered by Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-Basic, FAO.
The objective of this Yr is to advertise a greater understanding of the intrinsic worth of camelids and their potential in serving to to deal with the challenges posed by the local weather disaster, notably in areas the place they’re discovered. Larger assist to the camelid sector can speed up progress in the direction of reaching the Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs), particularly those associated to Zero Starvation, the eradication of utmost poverty, the empowerment of girls, the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and the conservation of fragile environments.
Along with recognizing the financial, social and cultural significance of camelids, the Yr will encourage governments and stakeholders to take a position extra within the camelid sector. This consists of programmes and tasks to bolster sustainable livelihoods all over the place.
