KEP: On September 16th, 2024, Cambodia 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. World Food Day is observed annually on October 16.
This year’s celebration, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Food Program (WFP), focused on the theme of a timely reminder that all people have the right to adequate and nutritious foods, emphasizing the need for food diversity, availability, accessibility, and affordability for all. FAO emphasizes 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.
Addressing Global Food Insecurity
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 action to transform agrifood systems, ensuring they are efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Cambodia’s Commemoration of World Food Day
The event in Cambodia aimed to raise awareness about the critical need for food accessibility and diversity to build a better future. H.E. Toch Bunhour, Secretary of State from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), addressed participants, emphasizing sustainable practices to ensure food availability for all Cambodians. He added, “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,’ recognizing 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.”
The event showcased exhibitions from various provinces, featuring agricultural production activities, nutrition programs, 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, Program Coordinator at WFP. To support sustainable food production and promote food diversity, farmers were provided with essential agricultural inputs, including rice and vegetable seeds.
In his remarks, Ehsan Kabir emphasized 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.”
The Role of Collective Action
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, emphasizing that building efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems requires collaboration from all sectors. Youth participation was also emphasized, 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.
Looking Ahead: Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
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.
Photo by: FAO Cambodia
