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According to the FAO latest estimates, hunger is on the rise with nearly 690 million being chronically undernourished and up to 130 million more being added because of COVID-19
The 47th Session of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) kicked off recently with a call to step up joint action towards a comprehensive transformation of global agri-food systems, in order to make them more inclusive, resilient and sustainable, as well as to tap their potential to contribute to the fight against poverty, hunger, all forms of malnutrition, and inequality.
According to the FAO latest estimates, hunger is on the rise with nearly 690 million being chronically undernourished and up to 130 million more being added because of COVID-19. Two billion people consume low-quality diets that cause micronutrient deficiencies and contribute to diet-related obesity and non-communicable diseases. More than 3 billion people have no access to healthy diets.
Speaking at the CFS opening session, QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO noted that the COVID-19 pandemic may push some 100 million people into extreme poverty and many more into chronic hunger and malnutrition. He also stressed that unsustainable agri-food systems continue to put pressure on natural resources, biodiversity, the environment, and climate.
Stressing that the pandemic has prompted the global community to rethink the way food is produced, processed and consumed, Dongyu urged all partners “to work together in harmony and solidarity to make agri-food systems more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.” To this end, he highlighted the crucial role CFS plays by promoting policy convergence and coherence.
“As the host of the CFS Secretariat and one of its funders, FAO strongly values the Committee’s potential, as a unique global platform for multi-stakeholder engagement, in the fight against hunger and malnutrition,” he said.