World Food Day 2017

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is celebrating World Food Day 2017 on 16 October. The day is celebrated every year around the world to raise awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger.

WFD was established in 1979 and takes on a different theme each year in order to highlight areas needed for action. In 2017, the common focus is on “Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development”.  To this end, FAO Ambassadors for Zero Hunger will come together and discuss their efforts to mobilize action in their respective regions.

The official ceremony will be held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome. Whereas traditionally a message from the Pope is delivered during the WFD ceremony, Pope Francis will attend in person for the first time and call on the international community to change the future of migration. He will be joined by the Director-General of FAO and Ministers of Agriculture attending the Group of Seven (G7) meetings.

WFD events promote worldwide awareness and action against hunger and for food security and nutritious diets for all. As such, research and innovation in agriculture is essential to be able to feed the growing world population.

For more information and programme, please see the FAO website.