Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that 8.2% of the world’s population suffers from chronic undernutrition despite the production of enough calories to feed everyone.

In an article obtained by “Al-Shorouk” today on the occasion of World Food Day 2025, he pointed out that, for comparison, the first global food survey conducted by the organization in 1946 showed that nearly two-thirds of the world’s population at that time lived in areas where sufficient food was not available.

Nevertheless, in 2025, despite the world population having more than tripled, the world produces enough calories to feed everyone.

He said, “As we celebrate this day and reflect on past, present, and future challenges, we remember the conclusion of that old survey: the choice is between moving forward or falling back.”

He mentioned that the FAO and its member countries have achieved much, such as eradicating rinderpest, setting food safety standards in the Codex Alimentarius, tripling global rice production since the establishment of the International Rice Commission in the late 1940s, concluding international treaties on fisheries and genetic resources, establishing early warning systems to monitor plant and animal pests and diseases, founding the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) to support trade, and developing nutrition guidelines to address stunting and overweight issues worldwide.

When desert locust swarms began in 2019—coinciding with the toughest periods of the COVID-19 pandemic—$231 million was mobilized to help contain the crisis, saving losses estimated at $1.77 billion and securing food security for more than 40 million people in 10 countries.

These achievements are credited to member countries that steadfastly supported the idea that a world free of hunger is a better world for all, whether in the North or South, rich or poor. These successes and others show what can be achieved when knowledge, resources, political will, and effective partnerships come together.

He added, “We must ensure that more than one billion people working in food and agriculture systems have the resilience and capacity to face the risks they constantly encounter.”

He continued, “Today, we have proven technologies, financial mechanisms, supportive policies, knowledge, and expertise that enable us to achieve the goal of ending hunger quickly and effectively. Empowering access to markets is also essential to reduce inequalities that weaken resilience and to ensure food reaches where it is needed.

Full market integration requires facilitating access to drought-resistant seeds, sustainable standards for fisheries and forests, agreed plant standards, digital technologies, innovative resource management tools, and early warning systems.”