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FAO was established on October 16, 1945. The 20th General Assembly of the United Nations decided in November 1979 to set the day of establishment of FAO as “World Food Day”. The establishment of this anniversary should awaken the great attention of the world towards the development of food and agriculture.
At today’s commemoration ceremony, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said that FAO was born after the disaster of World War II, three-quarters of a century ago. Due to another global disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic, FAO’s mission to end hunger and feed the world has become even more important.
He said that along the way, the world and FAO have moved from growing more food to adapting to the environmental footprint, establishing a regulatory framework to tackle animal diseases, and ultimately addressing hunger as an integral part of other development goals. .
The theme for this year’s World Food Day is: Grow, nurture and maintain unity.
Qu Dongyu said: “The current moment is once again fraught with dangers and complex situations that require urgent action. As hunger rises again and the new corona pandemic has exposed the fragility of our food system, history a He calls us to face this challenge again.
UN Secretary General Guterres, Roman Catholic Emperor Francis, President of Italy, FAO Special Goodwill Ambassadors for Nutrition, King of Lesotho and Queen of Spain, as well as IFAD Heads and the World Food Program participated in the online event. exercise.
Rebuild better
Research shows that today, the number of hungry people around the world has increased for the fifth year in a row, and 3 billion people are unable to eat a healthy diet. Nearly 700 million people are still hungry, and by the end of 2020, the new corona pandemic may leave up to 132 million people hungry.
This year’s World Food Day aims to inspire and accelerate action to eliminate all forms of hunger and malnutrition, and to make food and agriculture an important part of the response to the new crown.
At today’s event, many speakers noted that the most important thing right now is global unity, building a more resilient and stronger agri-food system that can withstand shocks and provide affordable and sustainable healthy diets for all. And provide a decent livelihood for all workers in the food supply chain.
Qu Dongyu emphasized the importance of exploring science and technology, stating that “innovation is our ally in reinventing our food system and ending hunger, because we are morally and politically obligated to do so in the next ten years.”
Pope Francis urged greater support for initiatives by FAO and all UN food agencies to promote sustainable and diversified agriculture, and to support small farming communities and rural development in the poorest countries.
He said that using the money to buy weapons and pay for military spending to beat hunger and rural development is also a “brave decision.”
He said: “Hunger is not just a human disaster, it is also a shame … We cannot help but react or take action. We are all responsible.”
In his speech, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres called for greater efforts to realize the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals: a future in which everyone around the world can get the nutrients they need. He said that to spur action to realize this vision, he will hold a summit on the food system next year.
Italian President Mattarella noted in his speech that Italy is proud to be the host country for FAO headquarters. He welcomed the commitment of FAO and its Director General to work with Italy and many other countries to establish a partnership aimed at curbing the pandemic “Food Alliance” influenced by the food system.
Matrera said this is a time to make “critical decisions” and “serious global commitments.” He hopes that the international community will rediscover the “deep meaning of the precious wealth that the earth offers us” and “share peace for future generations.” The responsibility to protect these riches. ”
FAO / Luis Tato
Members of the Mwenji Farmers Cooperative in Kenya harvest beans.
We all have a healthy diet
The FAO Nutrition Goodwill Ambassadors, King Letzier III of Lesotho and Queen Leticia of Spain emphasized that healthy eating is everyone’s right.
King Letzier III emphasized that the majority of people who cannot afford a healthy diet live in Africa and Asia and called for “joint efforts to reduce the cost of nutritious food” so that more people can afford it.
He warned: “Due to the devastating health and socioeconomic impact of the new corona epidemic, the nutritional status of the most vulnerable population may deteriorate further.”
Queen Leticia emphasized that hundreds of millions of people go hungry and many more suffer from obesity. He said: “These imbalances should make us think about how to strengthen the food system and seek shorter marketing channels to incentivize local, seasonal, sustainable and small-scale production. This strategy will also change the lives of many women in the world. It’s easier because they are in an extremely vulnerable state. ”
Hong Bo, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, said: “We know that when a crisis occurs, the poor and disadvantaged are the worst affected. We cannot help but realize this reality and focus our attention on these most marginalized groups.” People, especially in rural areas. In those moments, they need our support the most. But we need them too. If we want a strong, healthy and peaceful society, we first have to produce enough for everyone. Nutritive food.”
Ending wars and dealing with extreme weather is essential
The World Food Program received the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize last week. Many speakers believed that this was the Nobel Peace Prize recognizing that hunger is a threat to peace. The international community must focus its attention on addressing food insecurity.
WFP Executive Director Beasley said: “2021 looks very bleak. But I think that if we get into the hearts and pockets of people around the world, we can create another miracle.”
Beasley warned: “As long as there are man-made conflicts, we will never end hunger. Ending wars is crucial, and dealing with extreme weather is also vital … If we strengthen our fragile government, we know we are capable. we do, I think we will celebrate World Food Day in an unprecedented way, because hunger will end. ”
World Food Day events around the world
Earlier today, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu took part in the World Food Day online event organized by the European Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition in Brussels and praised the alliance’s continued efforts to bring food And nutrition is high on the political agenda.
Also attending the meeting were Heidi Hautala, Vice President of the European Parliament, and Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agricultural Affairs.
Hautara called for globalization and systematic solutions, innovation and equity as part of efforts to rebuild a better home and end hunger. Wojčekhoski spoke about the EU green deal and mentioned the response of the EU Commission and FAO to the new crown in food security and rural development.
UN News / Daniel Dickinson
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Volcan Bozker, speaks at an online conference celebrating World Food Day 2020.
Zero hunger is possible
A joint study released by FAO and its partners this week shows that if donors double their investment and use funds wisely, the world can end hunger by 2030.
Qu Dongyu said, “For thousands of years, the scourge of hunger has affected mankind. But our generation can end this situation once and for all.”
Tribute to the heroes of the gastronomic front
This year’s World Food Day is also to commemorate all the heroes on the food front who continue to provide food to their communities and elsewhere despite all difficulties.
FAO and its partners urge everyone to be grateful for the food they eat and to express gratitude to those who produce, grow, harvest, fish or transport it.
More than 150 countries around the world held activities to celebrate “World Food Day”, including the FAO video projection exhibition that took place tonight at the Colosseum.
The United Nations Headquarters in New York also held a large commemorative event. Vulcan Bozker, President of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, stated in an online speech that FAO, as the UN’s oldest permanent specialized agency, plays a key role in solving hunger and improved nutrition.
He also mentioned the contribution of the “food heroes”: “From farmers and food chain workers to drivers, shop assistants and representatives of food banks, even here in New York, millions of people help provide food and nutrition over time. difficult “.
He sees the upcoming food system summit as an opportunity to accelerate reforms and remove obstacles to hunger, and calls on young people to empower themselves to become the next generation of leaders and reformers in agriculture and food supply chains. .
