A note released by the Press Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that at the event, convened by that entity and which will take place at its headquarters, world leaders, businessmen and experts will address the critical situation in that sphere and initiatives to address it.

The meeting will be developed around three pillars related to youth, science and innovation, as well as the investment necessary to boost the sector on a global scale, and will address, among other important issues, family farming, water scarcity and indigenous practices for a sustainable food future.

The event is part of the commemoration of World Food Day on October 16, the theme of which in 2024 will be ¨The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future¨, a date that will serve to underline “the need for universal access to sufficient, diverse, nutritious, affordable and safe food”.

An event to be held on that day will be attended by QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO; Cindy Hensley McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) and Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Also attending will be senior officials from the Italian government, as well as King Letsie III of Lesotho, FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador and Ophelia Nick, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany, among other guests.

The Countdown 80-1 will be launched on that day, an initiative to commemorate the 80th anniversary of FAO, which will be celebrated in October 2025, within the framework of which a permanent exhibition will open next year at the Museum of Food and Agriculture, the result of collaboration between FAO and Italy, the source adds.

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