 The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and World Development extends its congratulations to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Delegation in St Lucia on the momentous occasion of its 40-year anniversary accountability seminar, acknowledging its dedicated service and unwavering commitment to advancing the agricultural sector in St Lucia and the wider Caribbean region. Over the years, the Eco-delegation in St Lucia has played a crucial role in nurturing agricultural development, innovation and collaboration. This seminar also served as a platform for stakeholders and experts to assess the past and ongoing efforts of Eco, such as its role in the establishment of rural women networks across St Lucia and, more recently, the Wear Women Bloom project, and to deliberate on future strategies for achieving sustainable agricultural growth. According to the representatives of Eco in St Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean states, Greg Rollins, the event is a testament to the organization's commitment to transparency and knowledge-sharing, showcasing the accomplishments that have been distinguished in the past four decades. Our delegation has worked tirelessly to support the agriculture and rural sector in St Lucia, and we have been fortunate to receive tremendous support from various development partners, organizations, groups, government ministries, farmer and community-based organizations, and other non-governmental organizations. Your support has been indeed instrumental in achieving the results we've attained over the past 40 years. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our partners and stakeholders for their continuous support and look forward to your collaboration as we harness the vast potential for developing the agricultural sector in St Lucia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Honourable Alfred Prosper, acknowledges the exceptional work and steadfast commitment of the Eco delegation in St Lucia, its staff and partners. He says that together with the ministry, they have advanced collective efforts towards the common goal of achieving food security, improving the lives of farmers, and enhancing the resilience of the agriculture sector. Many St Lucia farmers, agro-processors, schools, youth and women and other partner agencies have received direct benefits through Eco's interventions in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and other partners. This model of cooperation is not worthy as it reflects how close institutional alignment of work programs, technical officers and the active pursuit of synergies can create added value within the agricultural sector. The work within the agricultural sector with Eco accomplishes is vital for St Lucia and regular events like this one help to ensure that plans and goals which the organization undertakes are in synchronization with local stakeholders. Celebrating the Eco delegation in St Lucia's four-decade milestone, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development looks forward to a future characterised by renewed enthusiasm and creative solutions, all driven by the goal of a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. From the communications unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anisia Antoine reporting.