At the commencement of Food Security Week in August 2019, Puerto Varas, Chile, New Zealand hosted a workshop on indigenous rural development .The workshop sought to increase the visibility and understanding of the challenges faced by rural indigenous communities and their value in generating innovative solutions to food security.

Speakers and panellists identified areas for further progress needed for Indigenous women, literacy, access to capital, sustainability and climate change, amongst others. The conversations demonstrated the value of partnerships with government, industry, business and the community. They also demonstrated APEC’s potential as a forum for continuous, inclusive dialogue with indigenous communities and ethnic minorities.

Outcomes of the workshop include recognition of indigenous people in the Food Security Ministerial Statement. Furthermore, a Compendium of Best Practice Examples of Indigenous Rural Economic Development is planned for publication in 2020.