Ending hunger around the world is the focus of World Food Day today, as 2.8 billion people still can’t afford a healthy diet and 733 million face hunger globally.
Australia is one of 150 countries embracing this year’s World Food Day theme, “Right to foods for a better life and better future”.
Deputy Secretary of Trade and Regulation Tina Hutchison said Australia plays a significant role in combatting hunger.
“Australia contributes to the World Food Day objectives through our engagement in the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and by exporting around 70% of the total value of our agriculture, fisheries and forestry products,” Ms Hutchison said.
“A food secure world requires investment, innovation and science, collaboration on a global scale, and sound policy decisions made with government and industry working together – and these priorities are very much our focus.
“It’s incredibly important for Australia to maintain a global voice, especially in multilateral fora like the FAO, to keep contributing to a better, more sustainable world.
“It’s vital that our agriculture sector is represented on the world stage to counter the protectionist positions of some trading nations that only threaten world food security.
“We advocate for free and open trade, champion agricultural sustainability and support our Pacific neighbours in their food and agriculture endeavours.”
World Food Day falls during this week’s World Food Forum (WFF), a network of partners hosted by the FAO which shapes global agriculture and food systems for a better future.
Special Representative for Australian Agriculture Su McCluskey is currently in Rome at the WFF promoting Australia’s sustainability credentials underpinned by our country’s subsidy-free production.
“Australia shares its knowledge, technology and practices, from our successful model of industry, research and development corporations, and government partnering, to help develop other agri-food systems,” Ms Hutchison added.
“As climate change, conflict and rising costs continue to exacerbate global food insecurity, free and open trade under the multilateral rules-based trading system helps drive sustainable production.
“It is also these trade agreements that allow us to deliver sustainable, safe, and nutritious food to over 160 world markets.”
