By commemorating the day, UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres assured that some 780 million people worldwide face famine while nearly 50 million children are at risk of dying from severe wasting syndrome.

Guterres added, “In our world of plenty, , it is outrageous that one person dies from this scourge every few seconds, while the World Food Program has been forced to cut its essential aid programs.

The UNSG acknowledged that the International Day is being observed “amid a global food crisis.”

The number of people affected has ramped up significantly despite the target set out in the 2030 Agenda to achieve zero hunger.

“Such a crisis demands action, first and foremost by national governments that have a responsibility to ensure their people have enough to eat,” Guterres noted.

However, many countries lack the resources to do so, so effective international solidarity is essential as well.

The Secretary-General remarked,“Zero hunger is possible, calling on States, the private sector, civil society and academia to work in conjunction and prioritize the most affected populations.

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