The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is annually observed across the globe on 29th September to create awareness of the importance of the food loss and waste issue and promote global towards resolving it.
- 29th September 2024 marks the 5th observance of the IDAFLW.
- The annual observance is co-convened by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Theme:
The theme of IDAFLW 2024 is “Climate Finance for Food Loss and Waste Reduction”.
Significance:
The day highlights the need for financing to bolster efforts to reduce food loss and waste contributing to achieving climate goals and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Background:
i.On 19th December 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in its 74th session adopted the resolution A/RES/74/209 and designated the 29th of September of every year as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW).
ii.The resolution recognises the fundamental role of sustainable food production in promoting food security and nutrition.
iii.The first IDAFLW was observed on 29th September 2020.
Key Facts:
i.According to the FAO 2023, the percentage of food lost globally after harvest on farm, transport, storage, wholesale, and processing levels was estimated at 13.2 % in 2021.
ii.According to the UNEP 2024, the food waste occurring at retail, food service and household level was estimated at 19% of all food available to consumers in 2022.
Targets Related to Global Food Waste:
i.Target 12.3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.
ii.Target 16 of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) among other issues, also calls for “halving global food waste by 2030”.
2024 Events:
The FAO and the UNEP host a global virtual event on 27th September 2024 in observance of the 5th IDAFLW.
