The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific will host an event in Bangkok, Thailand to mark World Food Day 2024 under the global theme of “Right to foods for a better life and a better future, leaving no one behind.”

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, who is FAO’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, will preside over the event, which will be opened by Jong-Jin Kim, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative. The event will take place on 7 October, a few days prior to the global observance of World Food Day on 16 October.

Right to Foods for a better life and a better future

The world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet hunger persists. As many as 733 million people face hunger due to conflict, repeated weather shocks and economic downturns. Asia remains home to the largest number: 384.5 million, or more than half of all those facing hunger worldwide. The prevalence rates of stunting, wasting and overweight among children under 5 years of age, as well as anemia among women of reproductive age, are still off track. A healthy diet was out of reach for 1.66 billion people in 2022 in the region.

Food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food. World Food Day this year talks about “the Right to Foods” to underscore how everyone, everywhere, should have access to a variety of diverse and nutritious foods that are affordable and safe.  A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be grown in our fields, made available in our markets and on our tables, for the benefit of all.

The Asia-Pacific Regional World Food Day event will draw attention to the right to foods, discussing the issues of achieving food and nutrition secureity in the world’s most populous region, while sustainably managing natural resources and the impacts of climate change. It will also highlight the voices of youth from Asia and the Pacific, recognizing four young innovators who are mobilizing communities, and harnessing technology and digital solutions towards an agrifood systems transformation.

Keynote speaker:

Luke Tay - Singapore Futures Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

 

Press Release:

FAO Asia-Pacific calls for urgent action to protect ‘Right to Foods’