According to a press release from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which convened the event at its headquarters in Rome, it will include a Global Youth Forum, a FAO Science and Innovation Forum, and a FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Ireland’s Head of State Michael Higgins, among other prominent figures, attended the opening ceremony.

World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 every year to mark the anniversary of FAO’s establishment.

The text stated that this year’s motto, “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind,” mobilizes international action for transforming agricultural food systems.

Today, 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries, and around 600 million people depend on aquatic food systems for a living; they are suffering the effects of pollution, ecosystem degradation, and climate change, the document stresses.

More than 500 activities in 150 countries are planned for the day, which will help to raise awareness of the issue and encourage governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and people in general to step up efforts in the fight against hunger.

The World Food Forum brings together some 10,000 participants under the theme “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action” and emphasizes inclusiveness, innovation, evidence-based approaches, and concrete investments in countries, the source added.

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