Celebrations marking 2023’s World Food Day in Rome

Celebrations marking 2023’s World Food Day began on Monday at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome, Italy, with the focus on water’s critical role in underpinning the food security.

QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General: said “This year’s World Food Day theme ‘Water is life, water is food. - Leave no one behind’ makes the vital connection between water and food: Without water there is no food. And there is no food security without water security” However, rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, economic development and the climate crisis have all taken a toll on our water resources the world over, while increasing floods and droughts are further impacting agri-food systems, jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of farmers, Qu noted.

QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General: said But the good news is that we can produce more and better, with less. We can reduce water use, by using water wisely, and by recycling. And we can reduce agriculture’s water footprint by adopting a holistic and integrated approach to water management.” In his video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlined water’s role as a necessity for nutritious and healthy food.