In partnership with the government of the State of Ceará, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) celebrated on Wednesday (15), World Food Day, a date that highlights the importance of healthy eating and promotes cooperation to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity.
The official date, 16 October, is one of the most important days on the United Nations calendar and is celebrated annually around the world. This year’s theme was ‘Hand in hand for better food and a better future,’ and commemorative activities in Brazil took place in Fortaleza (CE) and Juazeiro (BA).
Ceará without Hunger Festival
At the invitation of the First Lady of Ceará, Lia de Freitas, the WFP, FAO and IFAD attended the 2nd edition of the Ceará without Hunger Festival, an event that brought together representatives of international organisations and state and municipal authorities to reinforce the state’s commitment to eradicating hunger and building sustainable food systems.
The event included debates and panels on the advances and challenges of tackling hunger in the state, in Brazil and worldwide, and featured a stand dedicated to World Food Day. Other major topics highlighted during the day were the role of social kitchens and community leaders in transforming the reality of vulnerable communities.
Panel 3, named after this year’s theme, ‘Hand in hand for better food and a better future,’ featured representatives from the three agencies: Daniel Balaban from the WFP, Jorge Meza from the FAO, and Hardi Vieira from the IFAD, and was moderated by the state’s first lady.
In his speech, Daniel Balaban appealed to the audience: ‘Hunger is not natural, it is not cultural, nor is it geographical. Hunger is a political issue and can be eradicated from the planet, as long as we unite to do so. It is up to us, who have food and energy, to work to ensure that society receives the necessary support,’ he said.
Daniel also praised the state’s leading role in implementing innovative public policies and said that he would soon be bringing representatives from countries in the global south to learn about the initiative. Jorge Meza highlighted the alignment of Ceará’s actions with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while Hardi Vieira pointed out that not only UN agencies, but also public actors and civil society should participate in this process.
In addition to the spotlight received at the Festival, the date also gained a mapped projection at the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS) in Fortaleza and special lighting at the Castelão Arena and public buildings in the city, all on the night of the 16th.
Other activities in Brazil and around the world
In addition to the celebration in Ceará, activities commemorating World Food Day also took place at the 13th Brazilian Congress of Agroecology, held between 15 and 18 October in Juazeiro (BA). In Rome, the official ceremony commemorating the date was attended by Pope Leo XIV and featured a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The occasion also marked the 80th anniversary of the FAO.