FAO marks World Food Day with calls for inclusive, sustainable agri-food systems

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) on Thursday joined the national and the international community in celebrating the World Food Day.

The celebration was held under the patronage of President of Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (Najmah), HRH Princess Basma, who congratulated FAO on the anniversary of its founding and commended its great efforts throughout the world towards ending hunger, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Deputising for Princess Basma, Deputy President of the National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (Najmah) Ali Ghzawi said: "The National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (Najmah), with the determination of all those in charge of it, continues to provide its development services aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition, deriving our determination from the pioneer of humanitarian work, Princess Basma Bint Talal, for her quest to continue implementing such initiatives and projects."

The event is an opportunity for acknowledging and celebrating the efforts and success towards achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, in addition to raise awareness of the importance of food and agriculture, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, Petra said.

World Food Day is observed every year on October 16 in remembrance of the day when FAO was founded in 1945, this year marks the 76th anniversary of FAO. 

Since its inception, FAO has accompanied government institutions and other relevant stakeholders in their effort of implementing the general Zero Hunger agenda, and related country strategies and actions. This collaboration represents “the cornerstone” of combating hunger and malnutrition, Petra reported.

This World Food Day is the second to be marked during COVID-19, which has had a devastating impact on food security worldwide including an economic recession that has added millions and reached 811 million people suffering from hunger.

Furthermore, the theme of this year is, "Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life." It calls for the transformation of agri-food systems to ensure that everyone everywhere has access to enough, affordable, safe and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. It also calls for action across sectors to ensure that the agri-food systems deliver enough, affordable, nutritious and safe food for all, Petra reported.

Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat said: "Because it is one of our priorities to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and in order to reach to secure food, we stress the need to develop our national paths towards the transition to sustainable food systems that contribute to maintaining food stability to meet the crises and challenges we are experiencing. Thus, over the past month, Jordan participated with the rest of the world in the United Nations Food Systems Summit, which paved the way for the transformation of food systems everywhere to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030."

FAO Representative Nabil Assaf said: "We have a clear sense of where we are going, framed in the objectives: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life. And our work is underpinned by a new Strategic Framework 2022-2031 for the next 10 years that defines the concrete actions and inputs needed to make the Four Betters a reality, and leave no one behind."

Over 100 participants including ministers, ministry staff, heads of UN agencies, ambassadors, and UN Resident Coordinator Anders Pedersen attended the event.