World Food Day Event: “Right to Foods” for a Better Life and a Better Future

World Food Day is celebrated annually on 16 October. It marks the day when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) was established in 1945 and promotes awareness of hunger, calling on everyone to play a role in building a sustainable future of food, people, and the planet. Collective action across 150 countries worldwide is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days in the UN calendar.

The World Food Day celebration event commenced with the video message from Mr. Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Armenia, who expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration on World Food Day and emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing global food challenges.

Mr. Raimund Jehle was followed by Ira Panosyan, the Head of Department of Agricultural Programs Elaboration from the RA Ministry of Economy who highlighted the critical role of youth engagement in shaping sustainable agricultural policies and the necessity for innovative solutions in the agrifood sector.

Oscar Ekdahl, WFP Deputy Country Director, drew the attention of the attendees to the urgent need for effective strategies to combat food insecurity, urging all stakeholders to unite in their efforts to create a more resilient food system.

Ms.Botagoz Nartayeva, FAO Programme Coordinator in Armenia, expressed hope that the discussions would inspire actionable initiatives and foster ongoing collaboration among , international organizations, civil society actors and the governmental institutions to promote food security and agrifood systems development in the region, as achieving sustainable agrifood systems requires concerted multi-sectoral efforts.

The event included two panel discussions. First panel was focusing on agricultural land use issues, the organization of the agrifood sector, and food security concerns such as dependent from external markets etc.

Gagik Tovmasyan, Acting Chair of Crop Cultivation and Soil Science at ANAU presented the problems related to agricultural land use, while Arman Harutyunyan, the Head of the Department of Agribusiness Management and Policy highlighted the role of local self-government bodies in agribusiness development. Ashot Voskanyan, the Director at the Agrarian Policy and Economics Research Center of ANAU addressed food security issues in the Republic of Armenia and Ira Panosyan the Head of Department of Agricultural Programs Elaboration from the RA Ministry of Economy outlined strategic approaches to agriculture development and the state support programs that have been implemented.

This first discussion was followed by a second panel organized as a role play, where students from the Armenian National Agrarian University shared a variety of innovative visions to tackle agrifood challenges. Their proposals included: sustainable farming initiatives, initiation of financial assistance programs, provision of financial incentives for farmers who adopt environmentally friendly practices.

The event was concluded with the closing remarks delivered by Hrachya Zakoyan, Acting Rector of the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the award ceremony.

The World Food Day celebration concluded with a series of dynamic side events aimed at fostering creativity and highlighting local initiatives.

The Young Painters’ Performance featured the talents of students from Minas Avetisyan School of Fine Arts, aged 8 to 14, conveying their reflections on the World Food Day theme. Their artwork illustrated the relationship between food and culture.

Simultaneously, the Agrifood Production Fair offered attendees the opportunity to explore local agricultural products and innovations. Exhibitors showcased a diverse selection of foods, including tasty honey, a wide variety of dried fruits, wine and fresh vegetables. This fair enabled participant to engage directly with producers, gain insights into agrifood practices, and learn about initiatives supporting these farmers and entrepreneurs.