Learn about the history and purpose of celebrating World Food Day

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Every year on October 16, the global community commemorates World Food Day, an impetus to raise awareness of the importance of food availability for all.

This warning comes from the global enthusiasm to end hunger, overcome nutritional problems and encourage a more sustainable food system. World Food Day or World Food Day celebrated on the occasion of his birthday Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In 2025, this institution under the auspices of the UN will celebrate 80 years since its foundation.

This commemoration falls every 16 October, as a form of respect for the founding of FAO in 1945. This date was officially announced at the 20th FAO Conference in 1979 and has since been commemorated by various countries around the world as an impetus to raise awareness of the importance of global food security.

World Food Day is now a symbol of international solidarity in ensuring that every individual in the world has the right to have access to sufficient, nutritious and safe food.

The following is a comprehensive history of World Food Day, based on information gathered from various sources.

Read also: The Ministry of Agriculture aims to distribute 7,000 tons of SPHP rice per day

History of World Food Day

The commemoration of World Food Day (HPS) was first started by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, when established by the United Nations agency World Food Day with Resolution Number 1/1979 in Rome, Italy. October 16 was chosen because it coincides with the birthday of FAO.

Since this decision was made in 1981, all FAO member countries, including Indonesia, have regularly commemorated World Food Day at the national level every year.

World Food Day marks the founding of FAO, which will turn 80 in 2025. This commemoration is an opportunity for global reflection on the importance of food availability and the role of the international community in building a just and sustainable food system.

World Food Day is held every 16 October to commemorate the founding of FAO in 1945 and was officially announced at the 20th FAO Conference in 1979. Then in 2021, FAO launched World Food Forum (WFF) as a global collaborative forum that brings together different parties to accelerate the transformation of the agri-food system and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The history of this commemoration begins with the formation of FAO, a special agency under the aegis of the United Nations (UN).

• 16 October 1945: FAO was officially established with the primary mission of leading global efforts to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition and increase agricultural productivity throughout the world.

• November 1979: At the 20th General Conference, FAO member countries pass a resolution designating 16 October as World Food Day. This proposal came from the Hungarian delegation led by Dr. Pal Romany, the country’s former Agriculture Minister.

• 1981: The first HPS commemoration was officially held and attended by more than 150 countries around the world.

Read also: Farmers’ Day and the momentum for land reform, downstreaming and food preservation

The purpose of celebrating World Food Day

1. Raise awareness

Inviting the world community to understand that there are still many people who suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

2. Encourage real action

Mobilize cooperation across countries and sectors to strengthen global food security.

3. Affirm the right to food

Remember that food is a human right and that every individual has the right to obtain food that is safe, nutritious and sufficient for a dignified life.

Each year, World Food Day features a different theme, highlighting crucial issues such as the impact of climate change on food security, sustainable agricultural development and innovation in the global food system.

Read also: Presidential Decree Commission VII: Farmers are the backbone of food sovereignty

Automatic retrieval of content, crawling or indexing by artificial intelligence on this website is strictly prohibited without written permission from ANTARA news agency.