FORAGRO - Latin America and the Caribbean ¿ LAC - conformed by more than 30 countries and with a population close to 600 million people (less than 10% of the world population) has 23% of the world¿s arable lands, 31% of its hydric resources, 23% of its forests and 46% of its tropical forests. Therefore, it is an actor of increasing importance in the global food supply. Even more important is to highlight that the region has an enormous potential to contribute to its own and global food safety and sustainable and equitable development, and that the agricultural research for development ¿ ARD ¿ is essential to achieve it.