World Food Day observed globally

World Food Day is being observed in Bangladesh today, with a focus on agricultural innovation, food security and ensuring access to nutritious food.

This year's global theme is "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow."

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says combining innovative solutions with traditional knowledge can help ensure adequate, safe and nutritious food while protecting the environment.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with FAO and other partners, has organised a national seminar at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in Dhaka to mark the day.

The programme focuses on innovation, investment and cooperation to improve food production and nutrition.

Government officials, researchers, development partners, farmers' representatives and private-sector participants are attending the event.

The observance comes amid continued pressure on food access in Bangladesh.

FAO's September country brief, citing an analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), projected that about 18.1 million people would face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity between September and December 2026.

The assessment attributed the worsening outlook to reduced household purchasing power, high inflation and flood-related damage to livelihoods in some areas.

In his message marking World Food Day, UN Secretary-General Ant¢nio Guterres said around 645 million people faced hunger last year, while nearly 2.7 billion people could not afford a healthy diet.

He called for greater investment and cooperation to make nutritious food more accessible, alongside the use of data, technology and innovation to strengthen food systems.