Leave NO ONE behind: World Food Day 2022 in Brussels

The FAO Liaison Office in Brussels marked World Food Day together with partners, colleagues and friends of FAO on 14 October. The event, which was co-hosted by the Liaison Office and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, took place at the premises of the Czech mission and saw the participation of more than 160 guests in a hybrid format.

A screening of a video message from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu opened the celebration, followed by a welcome from FAO Brussels Director Raschad Al-Khafaji. He noted the importance of leaving no one behind at this critical juncture for global food security and stated that ‘We are only 7 years away from the deadline to achieve the vision of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals’ adding that 'We must take bold action now. FAO is fully committed to this'.

The keynote address was delivered by FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol, who recognized the important role of all stakeholders in transforming agrifood systems throughout the world. Bechdol gave an overview of new ways of working at FAO and the transformative approach of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, while reminding the audience of the importance of access to food for everyone, everywhere.

The event’s host, Czech Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU Jitka Látal Znamenáčková, stressed the role of the Czech Presidency in the face of the current food security challenges, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine.

Director of the Trade and International Cooperation Department of the Czech Ministry of Agriculture Karolína Bartošová said that it is important to act now to achieve increased food security. Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) office in Brussels Alzira Ferreira, who took the floor immediately afterwards, highlighted WFP’s support for the 4 Betters: Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment, and a Better life.

The event continued with four distinguished panellists, who zoomed in each of the four Betters, giving their own and their organization’s approach to achieving these.

Director-General at the European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) Wolfgang Burtscher shared his insights on better production and stressed the importance of overcoming the sustainable and productivity dilemma by relying on research and innovation.

Talking about better nutrition, Director-General of the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) Laura Fernandez highlighted the urgency of raising awareness of the need for greater sustainability, in order to change people’s behaviour as consumers.

The Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the European Union and the Chair of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Committee of Ambassadors Colin Michael Connelly spoke about a better environment, describing how greater food sovereignty could be achieved through an integrated approach to agrifood systems, involving more local, modern and sustainable food value chains.

President of the Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment section of the European Economic and Social Committee Peter Schmidt talked about prospects for a better life, making clear that food systems should place people before profits.

Participating through a video message, 14 Members of the European Parliament and of the European Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition sent personal messages and wishes, explaining what World Food Day means to them.

The event ended with an interactive session involving two farmers who shared their thoughts and common challenges. From Belgium, Wannes De Jonghe represented Boeren & Buren, an association that brings farmers closer to consumers and promotes short food supply chains. Connected online, Kenyan farmer Johnes Mlegwah explained how he has managed to turn a number of agricultural challenges into opportunities for himself and his household with the support of FAO in his country.

You can learn more about World Food Day here