World Food Day is an international United Nations observance celebrated annually on October 16. It is dedicated to the founding date of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, established on October 16, 1945. The day was proclaimed in 1979 during the FAO Conference. The idea of celebrating this day originated at the 20th General Conference of the Organization. In 1980, the UN General Assembly adopted a special resolution welcoming the annual observance of World Food Day.

Since 1981, each World Food Day has been celebrated under a specific theme reflecting current global challenges in food security, hunger, and nutrition. The observance serves as a reminder of the urgent need to ensure food security and eliminate hunger and poverty worldwide. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on progress made and to identify further actions required to achieve the global goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition.

Main Objectives:

• To raise awareness of global issues of hunger and malnutrition, and of the importance of food security for sustainable development.
• To encourage action at all levels — governmental, organizational, and individual — to combat hunger and improve access to nutritious food.
• To promote sustainable agriculture and food systems that can ensure food security for future generations.
• To strengthen international cooperation in food security, fostering knowledge exchange and best practices between countries and regions.

The symbolism of the day includes the FAO logo (a globe encircled by the theme of nutrition) and various illustrations of fruits, vegetables, and harvests, emphasizing the importance of ensuring global food security.

Proper and balanced nutrition is the main protection against disease and a source of vitality and energy. The right to adequate food is universal, and quality nutrition is essential for everyone. However, young children suffer the most from undernutrition. Hunger and malnutrition undermine the genetic potential of entire continents. About 45% of infant deaths worldwide are related to malnutrition. Children in developing countries are often born weak, lag in mental development, and struggle to concentrate in school.

Today, more than 730 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger, even though the planet produces enough food to feed everyone — and even more than the global population. Yet hunger persists. One-third of all food is lost or wasted, while over 1.9 billion people are overweight. The main causes include inequality, climate change, and the unsustainable use of resources.

The FAO calls on all nations to develop sustainable agriculture and to use food resources wisely. The most vulnerable populations — especially poor rural households — are disproportionately affected by growing inequality between and within countries.

The problem of hunger was first addressed at the 1974 UN General Assembly, which adopted the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition. It declares that “every man, woman, and child have the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition for the full development and maintenance of their physical and mental faculties.”

Global food security today is threatened by ongoing conflicts, pandemics, climate change, rising prices, inequality, and international tensions. Moreover, many current methods of food production, packaging, transportation, and consumption harm the planet and exacerbate the climate crisis.

In 150 countries around the world, through collective action, World Food Day has become one of the most widely celebrated UN days. Hundreds of events and educational initiatives — in more than 50 languages — unite governments, municipalities, private enterprises, civil society organizations, media outlets, and the public, including youth. These activities raise awareness of hunger and promote action for a sustainable food future for people and the planet.

On this day, charitable campaigns, educational events, conferences, and humanitarian missions are held to help those in need and to reduce food loss and waste. Peacekeeping organizations also deliver assistance to regions affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and crises.

The FAO emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to build a peaceful and sustainable future, ensuring prosperity and food security for all. Joint efforts of governments, organizations, sectors, and communities are essential to transform agrifood systems so that everyone can have access to a healthy diet and live in harmony with nature.

Department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases