2021 "World Food Day" Riding on the momentum, promoting the transformation of the agricultural food system, and bravely shouldering the heavy task of eradicating global hunger

Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

On the occasion of World Food Day 2021, the world is at a critical moment

However, there are opportunities in crisis, and an encouraging new momentum is gathering momentum

Last month, UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened the UN Food Systems Summit to outline a vision for transforming agri-food systems around the world

The summit ended under the slogan "From New York back to Rome", a return to the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its sister UN food and agriculture agencies to implement the goals

FAO has rolled up its sleeves, got its feet on the ground, and has taken the lead in implementing and driving the transformation

Led by global youth and youth representatives from FAO and sister agencies earlier this month, we successfully convened the groundbreaking World Food Forum in Rome, Italy, to inspire creativity and resilience in the young generation

We actively take measures to unleash the potential of young people, raise awareness widely, formulate comprehensive response plans, and ultimately form practical transformational actions led by youth

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of agri-food systems around the world

At the same time, 14% of the world's food production is lost and 17% is wasted

As the lead agency for food and agriculture in the UN system, FAO has developed a range of tools to advance solutions to many of these complex and systemic problems

We have clear goals that guide the way forward

FAO estimates that ending hunger by 2030 will require between $40 billion and $50 billion annually in targeted interventions

For example, targeted research and development efforts, improved agricultural technology, digital agricultural innovations, and increased women's literacy rates can significantly reduce hunger

In addition, working hand in hand with the government and key partners is the key to our success, because our partners understand their own national conditions and can adapt to local conditions to create a transformation path that is suitable for their country

We also need to recognize that all the much-needed changes cannot be achieved by scientists, government officials, or food producers and sellers alone

The first step in transformation can and must start with ordinary consumers and with the pragmatic actions and choices of each of us

Each of us has the potential to be a food hero
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Action creates the future
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Starting from you and me, starting from bit by bit, to promote the transformation of agri-food systems, help the world eliminate hunger, achieve healthy diets, prevent damage to the environment, and eliminate waste
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It doesn't stop with our generation
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As the old saying goes, "people are like their food"
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Food choices also determine whether future generations thrive, and hope lives on in the hands of the next generation
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Let us study hard together, work hard together, and contribute our strength together
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Editor in charge: Peng Zonglu Reviewer: Zheng Ying