World Food Day – 16 October 2018

Today is World Food Day and the 73rd anniversary of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation. As one of the most celebrated days in the UN’s calendar, events organised by FAO country offices, governments, local authorities and other partners in over 130 countries across the world will call for increased action to achieve Zero Hunger.

According to the UN, the official World Food Day (WFD) ceremony on 16 October at FAO headquarters in Rome will be an opportunity for leaders and key global players in the drive to achieve Zero Hunger and eliminate malnutrition. The day also serves as a reminder to the world that Zero Hunger by 2030 can still be possible.

The latest FAO 2018 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report shows that world hunger is once again on the rise, and over 820 million people are suffering from chronic undernourishment.

The same report shows that conflict, extreme weather events linked to climate change, economic slowdown and rapidly increasing overweight and obesity levels are reversing progress made in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

World Food Day ties into the UN’s second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending global hunger by 2030. The FAO says that World Food Day is a chance to show commitment to SDG 2 in the hopes of ending hunger and malnutrition.

Every year, a large number of events – from marathons and hunger marches, to exhibitions, cultural performances, contests and concerts – are organised in around 130 countries across the world to celebrate World Food Day.

World Food Week began on 15 October and a series of events including World Food Day will explore the actions needed to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. World Food Week takes place in a global context where conflict, climate extremes and an increase in obesity are reversing progress made in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

The AIDF Global Summit will return to Washington D.C, in 2019.

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Photo Credit: UN FAO