Today, on World Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced that although the world produces enough food for everyone, 673 million people go hungry and 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. That is why FAO’s mission, which is marking its 80th anniversary, remains more relevant than ever – to ensure better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all through innovation, partnerships and collective action, the statement said.
World Food Day is marked in more than 150 countries and in almost 50 languages, making it one of the most recognizable dates on the United Nations calendar. For FAO, it is an opportunity to bring together partners and communities and renew their commitment to its founding goal of a world without hunger.
The theme “Hand in hand for better food, a better future” reflects both the urgency and promise of collective action. Agrifood systems face enormous pressures from conflict, extreme weather events, economic shocks and growing inequality; supply chains remain fragile and the impacts are felt from global markets to family kitchens. Behind the statistics are parents worried about how to feed their children, smallholder farmers whose livelihoods are threatened by climate events, and households unable to afford healthy diets. At the same time, the rise in obesity points to a deep imbalance in the way we produce and consume food.
“We cannot solve these challenges alone. Progress depends on cross-sectoral cooperation, targeted investments and inclusive decision-making that puts local voices, women, youth and the knowledge of indigenous communities at the forefront. FAO in Bosnia and Herzegovina is working with municipal authorities, agricultural cooperatives and civil society to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farms, improve water and land management, support youth-led agribusinesses and expand access to diverse, nutritionally rich foods for vulnerable families. Technical assistance, capacity building and carefully targeted investments are leading to measurable improvements in productivity, market access and household food security,” the statement said.
From establishing international food safety standards and eradicating animal diseases such as rinderpest, to introducing early warning systems and digital solutions for agriculture, FAO has contributed to the global fight against hunger and poverty, the statement said.
