The United Nations General Assembly by the Resolution (A/RES/35/70) established the day. World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945.

Statement by António Guterres, UN Secretary-General on World Food Day 2020 (October 16).

The award of this year’s Nobel Prize for Peace to the United Nations World Food Programme recognizes the right of all people to food, and our common quest to achieve zero hunger. In a world of plenty, it is a grave affront that hundreds of millions go to bed hungry each night.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified food insecurity to a level not seen in decades. Some 130 million people risk being pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of this year. This is on top of the 690 million people who already lack enough to eat. At the same time, more than 3 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, we need to intensify our efforts to achieve the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals. That means a future where everyone, everywhere, has access to the nutrition they need. Next year, I will convene a Food Systems Summit to inspire action towards this vision. We need to make food systems more resistant to volatility and climate shocks. We need to ensure sustainable and healthy diets for all, and to minimize food waste. And we need food systems that provide decent, safe livelihoods for workers. We have the know-how and the capacity to create a more resilient, equitable and sustainable world.

On this World Food Day, let us make a commitment to “Grow, Nourish, and Sustain. Together”.

U.N. Secretary General

Speeches

1. Speech of Mr QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on World Food Day ceremony 2020

2. Speech of His Holiness, Pope Francis, Holy See Vatican on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

3. Speechj of His Excellency, Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

4. Speech of Mr António Guterres, UN Secretary-General on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

5. Speech of His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

6. Speech of Her Majesty, Queen Letizia of Spain, FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

7. Speech of Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo; President International Fund for Agricultural Development on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

8. Speech of Mr David M. Beasley, Executive Director World Food Programme on Wolrd Food Day Ceremony 2020.

FORUM: World Food Day 2020 - " Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our Actions are our Future. "

Today only nine plant species account for 66% of total crop production, despite the fact that there are at least 30 000 edible plants. We need to grow a variety of food to nourish people and sustain the planet. World Food Day 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of FAO in an exceptional moment as countries around the world deal with the widespread effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a time to look into the future we need to build together.

Key facts:

COVID-19 FUELS HUNGER: Nearly 690 million people are hungry, up 10 million since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic could add between 83-132 million people to this number, depending on the economic growth scenario.

FOOD SYSTEM GAPS: Approximately 14% of food produced for human consumption is lost each year between the stages where it is grown or raised up to when it reaches the wholesale market. More food is wasted at the retail food and consumer stages.

FUTURE FOOD SYSTEMS: Our future food systems need to provide affordable and healthy diets for all and decent livelihoods for food system workers, while preserving natural resources and biodiversity and tackling challenges such as climate change.

THE COST OF MALNUTRITION: The impact of malnutrition in all its forms - undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity - on the global economy is estimated at USD 3.5 trillion per year.

A HUNGRY PLANET: Over 2 billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The global population is expected to reach almost 10 billion by 2050.

TIME FOR ACTION: A steady increase in hunger since 2014 together with rising obesity, clearly indicates the need to accelerate and scale up actions to strengthen food systems and protect people's livelihoods.

EMPOWER FOOD PRODUCERS: Over 3 billion people in the world lack access to internet and most of them live in rural and remote areas. Smallholder farmers need greater access to finance, training, innovation and technology to improve their livelihoods.

Campaign: Everyone across our food chain has an important role to play – and that means you too! Check out our list of everyday actions to become a food hero and make healthy food and sustainable habits a part of your lifestyle.

Activities: Get Creative! Calling out to all children and teens around the world! If you’re between ages 5 to 19, we want you to use your imagination and create a poster of your favourite food hero at work. Make World Food Day your day – share your individual action online or join the call by developing a virtual event or activity. Collective action across 150 countries is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. Hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, NGOs, the media, and general public. They promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all.

EVENTS: World Food Day Celebrations around the world.

This is no ordinary World Food Day, and we need anything but ordinary action. Whether you’re a government, private business, NGO, journalist, city, or a civil society organization, we need you to spread the call for action through activities and events (even online, if COVID-19 health measures advise against physical gatherings). We can provide you with a range of multimedia content in several languages to share, and to support your World Food Day activity.

Find out about all the events and promotional activities happening worldwide for World Food Day.

1. World Food Day in Rabat, location_on Rabat, Morocco: 16/10 to 16/10/2020.

2. World Food Day in India, location on New Delhi, Release of Commemorative Coin on Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 75th Anniversary, from 16/10 to 16/10/2020.

3. World Food Day in Madrid, Spain location on Madrid, Spain from 16/10 to 16/10/2020.