United Nations(UN)’s World Food Day is annually observed across the globe on 16th October to focus on the millions of people across the globe who cannot afford a healthy diet and to highlight the need for regular access to nutritious food.
The observance of World Food Day is annually led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO).
The theme of World Food Day is “Leave no one Behind”.
Background:
World Food Day was established during the 20th session of the Conference of FAO (1979) held in Rome, Italy.
The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/35/70 on 5th December 1980 and proclaimed the 16th October of every year as World Food Day.
- The first ever World Food day was observed on 16th October 1981.
World Food Day Ceremony and Intergenerational Dialogue
During the event, FAO’s first-ever Achievement Award (FAO Award for Achievement 2022) was presented.
FAO Award for Achievement:
The Award recognises the outstanding performance of people or institutions that made an impact in the efficient execution of programmes related to FAO’s work.
Click here for the winners of the FAO Award for Achievement 2022
Junior World Food Day 2022:
Junior World Food Day event was held with a host of Food Heroes
European Space Agency astronaut and FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Thomas Pesquet alongside Lebanese media professional and FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Near East and North Africa Darine El Khatib and Spanish chef and food hero Joan Roca participated in the Junior World Food Day event.
Key Points:
i.In 2021, around 193 million people across the globe experienced high acute food insecurity and more than half a million people faced catastrophe conditions (starvation and death).
ii.Around 3.1 billion people (40% of the world’s population) cannot afford a healthy diet.
Globally indigenous people act as the guardians of around 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity on 22% of the earth’s surface and yet they suffer higher rates of poverty, malnutrition and internal displacement.
iii.Globally, women are 15% more likely than men to be moderately or severely food insecure.
iv.The effects of climate change affect the poor people in rural, their agricultural yields and productivity, which contributes to an increase in pests and diseases and a change in the nutrient composition of major staple crops.
About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO):
Director-General– QU Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Founded in – 1945
