Manabí assumes Leadership of the Food Sovereignty Working Group

Within the framework of the 2025 ORU Fogar Assembly, held on the first of December, it was approved that, following five years of leadership by the Mancomunidad de los Andes (Peru), the Food Sovereignty Working Group would henceforth be led by the Ecuadorian Province of Manabí.

Rosmery Córdova, who is the political representative of the Mancomunidad de los Andes, outlined the work carried out over the past five years and explained that, at the end of this period, the decision had been taken to transfer coordination to another member territory in order to open a new phase and strengthen the dynamics of shared leadership within the network. The Peruvian representative nonetheless stressed that the work of the Working Group had reaffirmed their conviction that food-related issues can only be effectively addressed through a territorial and regional approach. Córdova concluded by reaffirming her commitment to continue contributing to the Working Group and to support the new Presidency.

Following the Mancomunidad’s step aside, the Province of Manabí (Ecuador), given its commitment and dynamism within the network, emerged as a well-positioned ORU Fogar member to assume leadership of the Working Group. The Assembly therefore approved that the Prefect of Manabí, Leonardo Orlando, assume the Presidency of the Food Sovereignty Working Group, committing to its consolidation and to advancing its strategic priorities. His leadership is further framed by the province’s international projection, as Manabí will serve as World Region of Gastronomy 2026— a key opportunity to showcase territorial policies related to food systems, gastronomy, and sustainable development.

Prefect Orlando reaffirmed his commitment to advancing food sovereignty and stated that the work undertaken within the Working Group would be further strengthened through Manabí’s role as World Region of Gastronomy 2026. “Through this event, we not only highlight our rich culinary heritage, but also pay tribute to our agri-food system,” he stated. He also invited participants to visit Manabí during the year, particularly in October, when many of the activities will take place.

With this transition within the ORU Fogar Working Group, the Province of Manabí builds upon the work previously carried out by Brittany, Champagne-Ardenne, the Province of Azuay, and the Mancomunidad de los Andes—territories that have made decisive contributions to the creation and strengthening of this space for cooperation.

Under Manabí’s leadership, the Food Sovereignty Working Group enters a new phase aimed at deepening innovative public policies, strengthening interregional cooperation, and advancing towards fairer, more resilient, and more sustainable food systems. ORU Fogar President, Rachid El Abdi, encouraged Prefect Orlando to fully activate the Working Group and pledged the organization’s full support.