World Meals Day 2025: Nations unite ‘hand in hand’

This yr’s World Meals Day, marked right now, October 16, carries a robust message: “Hand in Hand for Higher Meals and a Higher Future.”

The theme, chosen by the Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO), calls on individuals in all places to work collectively in reshaping how the world produces, distributes and consumes meals.

It’s a becoming yr for reflection, too. The FAO celebrates its eightieth anniversary, marking eight many years of labor to get rid of starvation and construct more healthy, extra sustainable agrifood techniques.

FAO’s anniversary in Rome

The center of this yr’s celebrations beats in Rome, the place world leaders, scientists and activists have gathered for the World Meals Discussion board 2025, hosted at FAO headquarters. Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, and prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, joined Spain’s Queen Letizia and Pope Leo XIV for the event – all emphasising shared accountability for a food-secure future.

It’s a symbolic milestone – not only for FAO, however for the 673 million individuals nonetheless dwelling with starvation, and for these battling weight problems and meals waste in richer nations. The message is easy however profound: the worldwide meals system is out of stability and fixing it would take everybody’s hand.

Norway’s seafood business

Among the many many international contributions to this yr’s discussions, Norway’s seafood stands out for reminding the world that the way forward for meals doesn’t lie solely on land.

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) marked World Meals Day by highlighting its long-term commitment to sustainable ocean management – a mannequin constructed on science, collaboration and 0 waste. For the reason that late Seventies, Norway has led the best way in managing its fisheries responsibly.

“Analysis-based data and steering are essential for making certain sustainable seafood administration. By this strategy, the Norwegian seafood business should at all times adhere to sustainable practices. I feel this may make it simpler to decide on fish from wholesome shares, which is an effective method to meet the rising client demand for aware consumption,” stated Bjørn-Erik Stabell, the NSC’s UK director.

New analysis exhibits actual progress. The nation’s whitefish business now makes use of 70 per cent of all residual uncooked materials. Which means virtually nothing goes to waste.

Extra analysis exhibits that round half of customers worldwide are keen to pay extra for sustainably sourced seafood, suggesting that accountable fishing isn’t simply good coverage; it’s good enterprise.

Discussions on World Meals Day across the globe

In the USA, the FAO joined forces with Arizona State College and the Sprouts Wholesome Communities Basis for “Food is Medicine and Eating for Health” – an occasion exploring the hyperlink between weight loss plan, wellness and sustainability.

In the meantime, within the Netherlands, Breda University of Applied Sciences launched a three-year research project finding out how hospital canteens can nudge individuals towards more healthy, extra sustainable meals.

And within the UK, Compassion in World Farming printed a placing report revealing that factory farming wastes more grain than households, food service, and retail combined – round 766 million tonnes yearly. The group argues that shifting away from grain-fed animal farming might feed as much as two billion extra individuals yearly.

Ukrainian grain

Meals safety additionally stays deeply tied to geopolitics. Regardless of almost 4 years of struggle, Ukraine continues to play a vital position as one of many world’s breadbaskets.

In line with the World Meals Programme, Ukrainian grain fed 152 million individuals final yr, reaching susceptible areas resembling Yemen and Ethiopia. But, export volumes fell by almost 40 per cent this September as Russian strikes once more focused key Black Sea ports.

FAO’s message this yr is that customers, too, have energy. Selecting domestically produced meals, losing much less, and supporting sustainable manufacturers are all steps towards a fairer system. As FAO put it, “The alternatives we make on daily basis form the world we stay in.”

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