The theme of this year’s World Food Day is “The Right to Food for a Better Life and Future,” and it comes to remind us that all people have the right to adequate food.
But how can we turn this right into reality? Why is it so important that we not only think about getting enough food, but also include a diversity of dietary patterns? You may notice that I talk about “food” in the plural, and the reason for this is to emphasize diversity, the availability of food for all, and their ability to obtain food and afford it.
Although the world’s farmers currently produce enough food for the world’s population in terms of calories, about 730 million people suffer from hunger as a result of human-caused and natural disasters, including conflicts, recurring climate shocks, inequalities and economic crises. .
Billions of people lack healthy diets,
Another bitter truth is that more than 2.8 billion people in the world cannot afford a healthy diet, and this is one of the main causes behind all forms of malnutrition. In simple terms, approximately one-third of the world’s population currently does not have access to the essential and micronutrients needed for a prosperous, healthy life and, in some cases, for survival. This means that almost half of the world’s population is in urgent need of improving their dietary patterns.
Here we must emphasize that we must provide greater diversity of nutritious and affordable foods in our fields, fisheries, markets and on our tables, for the benefit of everyone. Here we are not just talking about meeting the nutritional requirements of the population, but about ensuring that our agri-food systems are efficient, inclusive, sustainable and resilient, and that they take into account traditional food cultures and healthy dietary patterns based on science and adapted to personal preferences. One of the key things to consider is the safety and sustainability of the environment we depend on to produce these foods and which needs biodiversity to thrive. It is true that the right to food alone will not eliminate hunger, nor bring more diverse diets to our tables, but it helps frame our collective aspirations for the just and equitable world in which we aspire to live, and it sets concrete commitments that governments and key partners must fulfill, and it should encourage us We must all do our part to ensure that this right becomes a reality. This is a reason why we must act now.
The role of the organization
We at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working hard to transform this right into a tangible reality, despite the many challenges before us. Access to food has been disrupted in conflict areas, leading to widespread malnutrition and hunger. In these and other hunger hotspots, FAO’s efforts focus on rebuilding agricultural infrastructure in order to ensure the availability and accessibility of food in order to achieve long-term food security, using all available tools and means.
In addition to these emergency interventions, the Organization’s main programs such as the “Working in Hand” initiative, the “One Country, One Priority Product” initiative, the “Blue Economy” initiative, and technical cooperation programs also aim to achieve food security and nutrition in the medium term. And long term in a wide range of countries.
In many regions, changes in dietary patterns and market concentration resulting from globalization have led to an increase in health problems, including obesity and diabetes. FAO-supported school feeding programs play an important role in helping to address these challenges, as they source food from local farmers and ensure that children eat nutritious meals.
The organization works in many countries with fishing communities and local governments to expand social protection and economic inclusion for the most vulnerable groups by helping them diversify their production, create alternative sources of income and link them to new markets.
Inflation, especially during periods of economic instability, may weaken the ability to bear the cost of food, so organizations launch initiatives in some African countries, including, for example, sending cash transfers to the poorest families to help them bear the cost of food during periods of severe inflation. .
The climate crisis poses a major threat to ensuring food security in the world, as erratic climate patterns and natural disasters can lead to the elimination of crops and livestock. In response to this, the Organization in some Asian countries, for example, has developed climate-smart agriculture techniques to help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions, ensuring the stability of food production.
Furthermore, FAO works closely with governments to help them develop legal frameworks and assists them in formulating national policies aimed at ensuring food security and nutrition for all.
The need for teamwork
But the call to participate in this battle is not directed at governments alone, but rather it is a call for collective action that can bring about a major change, and by that I mean global cooperation between all sectors and partners, whether governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, or individuals.
Young people are also particularly concerned, because they have the right to a future in which they enjoy food security. They are the ones who create the future and decide its features. All calls made by the United Nations Summit for the Future are contingent on their work.
Farmers can make a difference by adopting sustainable agricultural practices that improve biodiversity and manage natural resources responsibly. Businesses can make nutritious and diverse foods more affordable. Academia and civil society can also hold governments accountable by collecting data, identifying areas for improvement, implementing scientific solutions, and measuring progress toward achieving desired goals.
Science and innovation, including information technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture and others, will be a critical force in transforming agri-food systems.
Finally, as consumers, we can all play our part in reducing the “food footprint,” by following healthy lifestyles, raising our voice in order to influence the decision-making process, reducing food waste, and promoting food diversity.
On this year’s World Food Day, let us renew our commitment to building more efficient, inclusive, sustainable and resilient agri-food systems that respect everyone’s right to diverse and nutritious food.
Together, we can get back on track to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our collective pledge to work for people, planet and prosperity. We can achieve this goal by transforming agri-food systems worldwide to ensure the four A’s: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life – leaving no one behind.
Our actions are our future.
*Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
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