As World Food Day is commemorated today under the theme, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future”, the global community is reminded of a fundamental truth: everyone has the right to adequate, diverse, and nutritious foods. Yet, while this is acknowledged as a right, turning it into a reality remains one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 730 million people globally face hunger due to a mix of natural disasters, conflicts and economic downturns. More concerning, however, is that over 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, resulting in widespread malnutrition. FAO Director-General Dr. QU Dongyu has emphasized the need to go beyond ensuring food availability to focus on food diversity, accessibility, and affordability. This need for “foods,” in the plural, highlights the importance of nourishing not just bellies, but lives, by providing healthy, nutrient-rich diets.
In the Caribbean, the vulnerability of the region to food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and global economic shocks, has made initiatives like Caricom’s “25 by 2025” crucial. The 25 by 2025 initiative aims to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by the year 2025, placing a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture, regional food production, and trade within Caricom. This effort is not only about reducing dependency on external food sources, but also about enhancing the region’s ability to produce diverse and nutritious foods, ensuring that local populations have access to healthier diets.
The synergy between the FAO’s global push for resilient agrifood systems and Caricom’s 25 by 2025 shows that food security solutions must be both global and regional. In Caribbean countries, where the impacts of climate change are already acutely felt, this initiative is a lifeline for securing food sovereignty while fostering economic growth.
The paradox of modern food systems is that even as millions suffer from hunger, millions more struggle with obesity and diet-related diseases. Globalized food markets have often introduced unhealthy dietary changes, replacing traditional nutrient-rich foods with highly processed, calorie-dense options. In many places, including the Caribbean, this shift has contributed to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.
FAO-supported initiatives such as school feeding programmes have proven to be a practical solution in addressing these issues. By sourcing food from local farmers and ensuring children receive nutritious meals, these programmes not only improve health outcomes, but also support local economies.
Climate change poses a significant threat to global food security. The increasingly erratic weather patterns, from prolonged droughts to devastating floods, threaten agricultural production in vulnerable regions. In response, the FAO has championed climate-smart agricultural practices which help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions while ensuring sustainable food production.
In countries heavily impacted by the climate crisis, including those in the Caribbean and Asia, these practices have allowed farmers to improve crop resilience and reduce losses, ensuring that more food reaches the table.
As Dr. QU Dongyu aptly noted, the right to food alone will not fill stomachs or ensure diverse diets. Achieving this goal requires the concerted efforts of governments, private sector actors, civil society, and individuals. Governments must create legal frameworks that prioritize food security as Caricom has done with its regional initiatives. Businesses have a critical role in making nutritious foods more affordable and accessible. Farmers especially can be agents of change by adopting sustainable practices that safeguard biodiversity and ensure long-term food availability.
And individuals, including youths, must take ownership of their future. Whether by reducing food waste, supporting local farmers, or advocating for policies that prioritize food diversity and nutrition, every consumer has a role to play.
World Food Day is a timely reminder that collective action can bring countries closer to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. The FAO’s commitment to “Four Betters” — better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life — echoes the aspirations of many around the world who envision a future where no one is left behind.
In the Caribbean, the success of Caricom’s 25 by 2025 initiative will depend on continued collaboration, innovation, and support from all sectors. By enhancing local food production and ensuring that the region’s agrifood systems are resilient and inclusive, the region can turn the right to food into a reality for all.
