Peshawar, (TW): The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Provincial stakeholders, commemorated World Food Day (WFD) under the theme, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,” at its office in Peshawar. The event emphasised the global right to food and spotlighted the urgent need to address hunger, as over 783 million people worldwide currently face food insecurity despite ample food production.
FAO and its partners stressed a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to ensure food security and resilient food systems. This approach calls for agrifood policies that prioritize food rights, support equitable resource distribution, and establish robust safety nets for vulnerable populations.
The private sector was also encouraged to increase the availability of nutritious foods, maintain international food safety standards, and invest in sustainable practices that bolster food security for low-income communities. Additionally, consumer empowerment remains crucial, encouraging informed and health-conscious choices and advocating for policies that uphold food rights.
The World Food Day celebrations featured impactful activities designed to raise awareness of food diversity, accessibility, affordability and security, engaging students, staff, and farmers.
A youth-centred initiative engaged children through a World Food Day activity book, filled with educational exercises promoting balanced diets and food diversity. This interactive approach, with activities provided young participants with foundational knowledge on nutrition, fostering a lasting appreciation for food security.
Further amplifying community engagement, students and educators led an awareness-raising walk, a public display supporting food security. Carrying banners with messages about food rights and sustainable practices. FAO also celebrated the contributions of smallholder farmers, organizing activities at Farmer Field Schools (FFS), where farmers shared insights on sustainable farming practices, local agriculture, and the unique challenges they face.
With a collective commitment to human rights and sustainable agrifood systems, FAO envisions a world free of hunger, where everyone has the opportunity for a healthier and more dignified life. This year’s World Food Day also serves as a prelude to FAO’s upcoming 80th anniversary in 2025, reaffirming its mission to transform agrifood systems to secure food access for future generations.