Cambodia on Oct. 16 joined countries worldwide in celebrating World Food Day 2024 under the theme ‘Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,’ with a commemoration event held at Kep Stadium, Kep province, aiming to raise awareness about the critical need for food accessibility and diversity to build a better future.

This year’s celebration, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), focused on the theme of a timely reminder that all people have the right to adequate and nutritious foods, emphasising the need for food diversity, availability, accessibility, and affordability for all, said FAO in a press release, emphasising the importance of ‘foods’ in the plural to highlight the need for diverse diets that can sustain and improve the quality of life for individuals globally.

H.E. Toch Bunhour, Secretary of State from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry,
and Fisheries (MAFF), addressed participants, emphasising sustainable practices to ensure food availability for all Cambodians.

‘On the occasion of the 44th World Food Day 2024, we come together with the theme ‘Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,’ recognising the critical need to combat hunger, promote food security, and ensure healthy diets for everyone. It is essential that all stakeholders actively engage in eradicating poverty and achieving Zero Hunger, both globally and within Cambodia,” he added.

The event showcased exhibitions from various provinces, featuring agricultural production activities, nutrition programmes, and value-added initiatives. Speeches were delivered by Hour Methona, Deputy Governor of Kep province, Ehsan Kabir, Communication Specialist at FAO and Meng Chan Thoeurn representative, Programme Coordinator at WFP. To support sustainable food production and promote food diversity, farmers were provided with essential agricultural inputs, including rice and vegetable se
eds.

In his remarks, Ehsan Kabir emphasised the importance of transforming systems to ensure that diverse, nutritious foods are accessible to all. He added, “Collective action can create meaningful change, and it requires collaboration from all sectors-governments, businesses, academia, civil society, and individuals. The youth, especially, have a crucial role in shaping a food-secure future; their efforts today will influence the outcomes of tomorrow. Farmers, through sustainable practices, businesses, by making nutritious food more accessible, and academia and civil society, by holding leaders accountable and applying science for progress, all have important roles to play. Our actions are our future.”

Cambodia’s event highlighted the importance of collective action in achieving global food security. Representatives from the government, private sector, development partners, and community members were all present, emphasising that building efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems re
quires collaboration from all sectors. Youth participation was also emphasised, as they play a vital role in shaping the food-secure future they are entitled to.

The event concluded with a symbolic tree planting ceremony, representing efforts to protect and sustainably manage food resources. Farmers were also provided with tree seedlings for planting in their communities, reinforcing the commitment to building a resilient environment for future food production.

According to the FAO’s press release, while the world’s farmers produce more than enough calories to feed the global population, around 730 million people still face hunger due to man-made and natural disasters, including conflict, recurrent weather shocks, inequalities, and economic downturns. Furthermore, over 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, contributing to malnutrition and affecting the quality of life for almost a third of the world’s population. To address these challenges, FAO alongside valued partners, promotes collective acti
on to transform agrifood systems, ensuring they are efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

This World Food Day calls upon everyone-government, private sectors, academia, civil society, and individuals-to act collectively to transform global agrifood systems, ensuring they support the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Together, we can achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by honoring everyone’s right to varied and nutritious foods, leaving no one behind.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse