Leave no one behind 
Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific will mark this year’s World Food Day on Monday 17 October (in lieu of Sunday 16). The event, which will commence at 10 am Bangkok time (GMT+7) and conclude at 11.40 am, will include a message from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and the FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu.

The globalized world in which we find ourselves today is one where our economies, cultures, and populations are becoming increasingly interdependent. Some of us are more vulnerable because of who we are or where we live, but the reality is that we are all fragile. When someone is left behind, a chain is broken which impacts not only the life of that person, but also ours.

Although we have made progress towards building a better world, too many people have been left behind. People who are unable to benefit from human development, innovation or economic growth. The Asia and the Pacific region has some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and has witnessed considerable progress in food security and nutrition in recent decades. Yet this region is home to more than 1.1 billion people who did not have access to adequate food in 2020 – an increase of almost 150 million people in just one year. Some countries in the region have faced unprecedented crises, leading to a rapid increase of acute food insecurity, combined with natural disasters, conflict, political instability, COVID-19 pandemic, and rising food prices. Women, children, rural populations and poorer households are those worst affected by these external shocks.

Globally, and here in Asia and the Pacific, FAO is determined to help our Member Nations, partners and other stakeholders get back on track to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, by working for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all – leaving no one behind.

To mark this year’s World Food Day, on Monday 17 October, the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific will host a panel discussion focusing on specific measures such as timely and well-targeted social protection policies and programmes to support vulnerable groups. Particularly highlighting the role of women and youth in agrifood systems transformation for more sustainable, inclusive and resilient responses to recoveries.