Speech

World Food Day 2023 in Liberia Joint Note by FAO, IFAD and WFP

27 October 2023

Monrovia, 16 October 2023

The global ceremony marking this year’s World Food Day 2023 took place in Rome, Italy, on 16 October 2023, against a backdrop of increasing world hunger and conflicts. In particular, participants stressed the critical role of water in underpinning our food security and how we can better manage and not take for granted this precious and finite resource.

Opening of the World Food Day 2023 Ceremony

QU Dongyu the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said this year’s World Food Day theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food. - Leave no one behind, “ makes the vital connection between water and food - without water there is no food and there is no food security without water security.”

However, rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, economic development and the climate crisis have all taken a toll on our world water resources, while increasing floods and droughts are further impacting agrifood systems – jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of farmers, Qu noted.

“But the good news is that we can produce more and better, with less. We can reduce water use, by using water wisely, and by recycling. And we can reduce agriculture’s water footprint by adopting a holistic and integrated approach to water management.” the FAO Director-General said.

Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said: “The nexus of water, food, energy, and climate change is fundamental to improving the resilience of our food systems. Let’s continue working together, recognizing that our pursuit of water-resilient, food-secure, and inclusive and prosperous societies is the cornerstone of our missions”.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), said: “As droughts degrade agricultural lands and water scarcity stokes instability, climate change is plunging more people into hunger and despair. We must work together, innovating and collaborating, to bring hope and resilience to vulnerable communities around the world.”

United to support Liberia’s Food Security and Sustainable Development

FAO, IFAD and WFP as Rome Based Agencies work together to support the government and the people of Liberia to address the country’s pressing food security challenge and to enhance sustainable agrifood systems transformation under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2024 in Liberia, which is in line with the priorities of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).

As of 2022, Liberia grapples with the stark reality that approximately two million of its people endure undernourishment, with an overall prevalence of undernourishment in the country standing at a troubling 38.4% (FAO, 2022). This percentage represents a disheartening increase of 5% points from the situation in the 2004-2006 period and shows the country is not on track to achieve the SDG2. Moreover, a staggering 81% of the Liberian population contends with moderate or severe food insecurity, and a staggering 93% of the population is unable to afford a nutritious diet.

At the occasion of World Food Day in 2023, Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, FAO Representative ad Interim in Liberia, emphasized the significance of Liberia's abundant agricultural and water resources: "Liberia's abundant agricultural and water potential holds the key to our food security. Let us harness these resources and create resilient agrifood systems that can withstand challenges, nourishing ourselves and our planet."

Aliou Diongue, WFP's Representative in Liberia reminded everyone that food access and availability remains a challenge in the country. We need to produce more nutritious food and other essential commodities with less water. WFP remains committed to supporting the Government achieve this objective.

As we strive to reach zero hunger by 2030, communities must be supported to build their resilience and become self-sufficient. Climate action, cash-based transfers, gender, nutrition, school-based programmes, social protection, innovation, resilience and food systems are the main focus areas for WFP's Changing Lives agenda.

Pascaline Barankeba, IFAD Country Director for Liberia and Sierra Leone, recognized that water, in all its forms, has significant repercussions on rural activities and livelihoods. She recounted that Liberia’s natural endowment of land and water resources are suitable to support the achievement of food and nutrition security; what is increasingly needed is the right investments to boost agricultural productivity and make the best use of the abundant natural resources of the country. She reiterated IFAD’s commitment to remain a reliable partner to Liberia and emphasized that all stakeholders in the agriculture sector must continue to support the Government and all people of Liberia , leaving no one behind.

This year’s World Food Day was also an opportunity to thank and champion food heroes who are taking water actions to make our agrifood systems sustainable and inclusive, including Ms Majongbeh S. Kamara, who leads the Gbegbedu Rural Women Group and started the integrated fish-vegetable production Gbegbedu community in Lofa County.

FAO, IFAD and WFP continue to work closely with the government of Liberia and the communities, and stay committed not only to addressing immediate hunger but also building a foundation for sustainable agrifood systems that will ensure a brighter and more nourished future for the people of Liberia.

Full text of the FAO Director-General’s Opening Statement is available below.

Opening Statement By Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General,

WORLD FOOD DAY 2023 CEREMONY, 16 October 2023

His Excellency, Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy

His Excellency Michael Higgins, President of Ireland,

His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho,

His Royal Highness Prince Hassam Bin Talal of Jordan

His Excellency Kassim Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is a great honour and a privilege for me to welcome you to FAO headquarters here in Rome to celebrate World Food Day – FAO’s Birthday - which commemorates the establishment of the Organization in 1945.

This year’s theme “Water is life, water is food. - Leave no one behind” makes the vital connection between water and food: Without water there is no food. And there is no food security without water security.

But rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, economic development and the climate crisis have all taken a toll on our water resources all over the world.

And increasing floods and droughts are further impacting our agrifood systems – jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of farmers and consumers.

With all these increasing challenges, water is crucial for agriculture. Yet water scarcity and pollution are putting agrifood systems at risk.

But the good news is that we can produce more and better, with less.

We can reduce water use, by using water wisely, and by recycling.

And we can reduce agriculture’s water footprint by adopting a holistic and integrated approach to water management.

As highlighted at last month’s SDG Summit in New York, as well as at the 2nd Rome Water Dialogue held at FAO two weeks ago: the clock is ticking - accelerated action is needed if we are to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

To achieve this, I wish to share with you five key messages on what needs to be done:

First: we need to strengthen partnerships.

Governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and all partners need to collaborate better towards a water secure future.

Governments need to prioritize water in policy and planning, across sectors and along the water-food-energy-ecosystem nexus.

Innovative solutions need to be co-developed with partners, including the private sector.

Second: we need to significantly increase investments in integrated water resources management and infrastructure.

Countries need to produce more food with less water, while restoring land and water systems,

And at the same time ensure equitable access to water, and increased resilience to extreme weather events.

Third: we need to increase the engagement of the private sector.

The private sector needs to become water stewards, ensuring that water use is equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial.

Fourth: farmers must be at the center of decisions and actions, they must have access to the information and tools they need, as well as to the latest science and innovation so that they can be true agents of change – this includes women, Indigenous Peoples, and youth.

And Fifth: we all need to value water for a water-saving society, the food it produces and the planet it nourishes.

We have taken water for granted for too long. It is a precious resource and NOT infinite.

Water affects everyone, so we need everyone to take their part on action.

Today, we all need to embrace solutions that consider the complexity of the world in which we live and the close inter-relation between water, food, health, poverty, the climate crises and the environment.

Dear Friends,

No organization, government or institution can eradicate hunger and poverty alone – it requires a collective effort.

We need to acknowledge success stories to motivate further action.

During this World Food Day, we celebrate the second-ever winners of the FAO Achievement Award. This award recognizes professional achievements and technical cooperation in various sectors of agrifood systems.

The FAO Awards stand as a testament to the dedication and innovation in agrifood systems, and this year's Achievement Award and co-winners are exemplary representations of these values.

The award has been conferred to two remarkable organizations: the Sara Bangla Krishak Society from Bangladesh and Farmer Lifeline Technologies from Kenya.

Their tireless efforts and groundbreaking contributions have not only advanced agricultural practices in their respective regions but have also inspired change on a global scale.

In addition to celebrating these two outstanding winners, we must also extend our heartfelt congratulations to the FAO Country Office in Nepal for their Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases.

Their exceptional work showcases FAO’s dedication to preventing and mitigating the spread of diseases among animals, a critical component of safeguarding global food security.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

FAO is committed to continue working with all partners and stakeholders to build a new era of hope for a better future, for everyone, everywhere.

Leaving no one behind.

And the younger generation has a vital role to play.

World Food Day events do not stop here today.

Around the world, hundreds of events are taking place calling for water action for food,

And on 19 October I look forward to the Junior World Food Day event where I will continue this conversation with young students and others.

I hope you will join us for all the events taking place this week during the World Food Forum, which opens this afternoon and includes a Global Youth Forum, a Science and Innovation Forum and a Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

Let us celebrate World Food Day as a new start for further responding to the call for action – for people, for planet and for prosperity.

Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind.

Thank you.

==END==

Food Hero Story from Liberia: https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/food-heroes/detail/majongbeh-s.-kamara/en

FAO Director-Gegeral’s Opening Statement: https://www.fao.org/director-general/speeches/detail/en/c/1653526/

IFAD President’s statement: https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/world-food-day-2023-statement