World Food Day 2023: History, significance, and theme

In November 1979, during the twenty first session or General Conference of the Food and Agricultural Organization member countries resolved to have a world food day officially observed on October 16, 1981. The United Nations General Assembly on 5 December 1980 endorsed this decision. Since then, World Food Day has been observed annually as a global tradition involving governments, international organisations, local communities, and individuals interested in the issue.

World Food Day is more than just a feast of good food; it’s a call to action. Many countries are still struggling with hunger and food crises even today. It is necessary to exert greater effort to highlight and cope with this problem. The day helps to raise awareness about healthy diets and nutritional needs. While some progress has been made in educating people about healthy living, there is still work in progress.

The theme for World Food Day 2023 is "Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind”. This theme stresses the importance of water in sustaining life on earth, and its fundamental linkages to our food sources. Its purpose is to underline the importance of responsible water management under the circumstances of rapid population growth, economic development, urbanisation and climate change that affect water accessibility. Agriculture depends on clean and safe water sources. This theme calls for global attention to conserve water and share it equitably in order to guarantee universal food security.