Not one, but many different forms of malnutrition: 842 million people around the world suffer from hunger, and one in four children below the age of five is affected by growth problems; approximately 2 billion people do not receive the vitamins and minerals necessary for good health; and 1.4 billion people are overweight, approximately one-third of whom are obese and at risk of heart disease, diabetes or other illnesses.
Every year on 16 October World Food Day examines malnutrition and reflects on global food losses and waste and on our nutritional systems.
“Global food losses and waste: from reduction to prevention for a sustainable agro-food system”
Within the context of World Food Day, on Wednesday 16 October 2013, at 14:00 the FAO Headquarters in Rome will host an international conference entitled “Global food losses and waste: from reduction to prevention for a sustainable agro-food system”
The conference, organised by the Italian Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be opened by Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli and closed by Foreign Minister Emma Bonino. Participants will include Italian and foreign experts and government and representatives from the UN organizations headquartered in Rome, FAO, IFAD and WFP. Also joining in the debate will be the main NGO’s active in the sector.
Minister Bonino to speak
Minister for Foreign Affairs Emma Bonino is scheduled to speak at the closing of the conference, at around 17:00. Other speakers will include Minister for Health Beatrice Lorenzin, Minister for Environment Andrea Orlando, Director General of Fao Josè Graziano da Silva, President of IFAD Kanayo F. Nwanze and Executive Director of WFP Ertharin Cousin.
“First of all don’t waste”
In addition, the Eataly food emporium located near the Ostienze Station, will hold an awareness raising session from 18:00 to 22:00 entitled “First of all don’t waste”, based on the Last Minute Market format, which offers lunches and dinners prepared with food left over from the food processing chain and “zero kilometer” agri-food products, such as the disd that will be served on 16 October in the canteens of FAO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.