AMMAN: Jordan’s Princess Basma bint Talal led Jordan’s observation of World Food Day on Wednesday in conjunction with the 79th anniversary of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.
This year’s theme, “The Right to Food, for a Better Life and a Better Future,” highlighted the urgent global need to combat hunger and malnutrition.
In her recorded address, Princess Basma underscored the disparity between the one-third of global food production wasted annually and the nearly 10 percent of the world’s population that suffers from hunger, the Jordan News Agency reported.
“The world must address this crisis,” Princess Basma said, calling for a unified and integrated approach involving governments, private sector entities, civil society, and academic institutions to safeguard food systems.
She advocated for innovation within the agricultural sector and stressed the importance of encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices.
She said this would preserve land fertility, enhance global food security, and create more efficient food systems. She also urged for rational consumption patterns to ensure the sustainability of the food supply, especially for vulnerable populations.
Praising the FAO’s ongoing efforts, Princess Basma acknowledged the role that international, regional, and local bodies play in addressing hunger crises and improving food security.
Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat echoed her sentiments.
He emphasized the kingdom’s recognition of food security as a cornerstone of national resilience through the establishment of the Food Security Council, which provides essential data on food security and oversees the implementation of Jordan’s National Food Security Strategy 2021–2030.
Hneifat noted the ministry’s ongoing efforts to reduce food loss and waste while maximizing the benefits of local agricultural production.
These initiatives are designed to ensure that basic food items remain available and affordable to all Jordanians.
FAO representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf also spoke on the global hunger crisis, noting that around 730 million people suffer from hunger worldwide, while more than 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet.
Assaf called for collective global action to ensure access to diverse, nutritious, and affordable food.
He stressed the need for agricultural food systems that are inclusive, sustainable, and resilient, while also respecting both traditional food cultures and scientific knowledge.
