Paraguay's Ambassador and CATIE Explore Opportunities for Cooperation in Education, Research, and Capacity Building

• During a visit to CATIE's campus, the diplomat and institutional representatives identified four strategic areas for cooperation with the Government of Paraguay: sustainable livestock production, food security, agritourism, and education.

On August 7, His Excellency Julio César Duarte, Ambassador of Paraguay, visited the facilities of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) to explore opportunities for cooperation between the Government of Paraguay and the institution.

During the visit, Ambassador Duarte met with Laura Benegas, Director of the Inclusive Green Development Research Division; Adriana Escobedo, Coordinator of Sustainable Agribusiness; and Cristóbal Villanueva, researcher in the Livestock and Environmental Management Unit. He also toured CATIE's commercial livestock farm with Villanueva to learn about the institution's research and practical experiences in sustainable livestock production.

The Ambassador also held a working meeting with Dr. Luis Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE, attended by Laura Benegas and Eliécer Vargas, representing CATIE's Education Division. During the meeting, the participants advanced plans for an upcoming institutional mission by the Director General to Paraguay, scheduled for later this semester, with the objective of strengthening cooperation and expanding the collaborative agenda between CATIE and Paraguay.

As part of the meeting, a preliminary work agenda was prepared for the upcoming mission, focused on negotiating a cooperation plan in research, education, and capacity building with Paraguayan authorities. Paraguay's membership contribution to CATIE is expected to support the creation of an investment fund for on-campus and virtual scholarships, as well as customized training programs tailored to the country's needs. In this regard, Ambassador Duarte expressed his willingness to facilitate meetings with government authorities during the Director General's visit to Paraguay.

The Ambassador also toured the CATIE campus with the Director General. The visit included a stop at the Computing Center building, which CATIE named in honor of Dr. Gilberto Páez, a distinguished Paraguayan who served as Director Emeritus of the institution and Dean of its Graduate School.

Strategic Areas for Cooperation

During the campus tour, CATIE and Ambassador Duarte identified four strategic areas for future cooperation between the Government of Paraguay and the institution:

1. Sustainable livestock production, explored during a visit to CATIE's commercial livestock farm.

2. Food security, through the use of the crop biodiversity conserved by CATIE.

3. Agritourism and conservation, building on the institution's botanical garden and protected natural areas.

4. Education, through master's degree programs, diploma courses, and customized professional training.

A Meeting with EARTH University Students

The visit also included a spontaneous and meaningful moment. While touring CATIE's Botanical Garden, Ambassador Duarte encountered a group of EARTH University students participating in a guided visit. He stopped to greet them and shared a brief message highlighting the importance of education in professional development and human growth.

At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Pocasangre underscored the Ambassador's commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries. "I would like to congratulate Ambassador Julio César Duarte for his interest in strengthening technical and scientific cooperation, and above all education, between the Government of Paraguay and CATIE," he said.