16 October: World Food Day

The World Food Day (WFD) which is commemorated on the 16th of October of each year marks the date of the foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This year, WFD celebrations will be centred on "Biodiversity for food security."

Food security is having physical, economic and sustainable access, at all times, to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Biodiversity's role in ensuring this access is crucial due to the need of increased food production to feed a growing population. Having a wide variety of domesticated animals and cultivated plants through the application of sustainable agriculture practices is essential for agricultural biodiversity.

A series of events to celebrate WFD 2004 will take place at FAO headquarters during the second week of October. The activities will open with an event on the Right to food and biodiversity: Educating for food Security organized in collaboration with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) on 8 October and a Youth Forum on Biodiversity for Food Security on 12 October. Other events include the Farmers Forum on Agro-Biodiversity (15 October) and the customary WFD ceremony (16 October).

For more information on the activities to be carried out by each country on this day please click here.