FAO marks World Food Day and 80 years of collective action for a better future

Founded on 16 October 1945 to help countries rebuild their food systems after war, FAO continues working with governments and communities around the world to ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. Today, as conflicts, climate shocks and economic pressures intensify, the Organization’s mandate is more relevant than ever.

“World Food Day is not about festivities – it is about focus. In Ukraine, as in many parts of the world, producers continue to work under pressure, keeping communities supplied and contributing to global food security,” said Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine. “FAO’s role is to turn solidarity into systems – helping restore safe use of land, strengthen laboratories and standards, and support farmers with the tools they need to produce, trade and grow.”

Ukraine joined FAO in 2003, becoming an active contributor to regional and global food security efforts. Since then, the Organization has supported the country in advancing agricultural policies, improving food quality and safety systems, reducing food losses, and promoting sustainable production and trade.

Since the escalation of the war, FAO, with the support of its partners, has expanded its work in the country to help farmers and rural families maintain food production, rehabilitate land, and build resilience. More than 300 000 rural families have received agricultural inputs and cash assistance, and over 16 000 farmers have benefited from temporary storage, equipment, and technical support. FAO also leads agricultural mine action and land rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with WFP and national authorities, helping farmers safely return to land and rebuild their livelihoods.

 World Food Day events across Ukraine

To mark World Food Day and FAO’s 80th anniversary, a series of events were held across the country. In Kyiv, FAO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine co-organized a high-level briefing that brought together representatives of the Government, the diplomatic corps, donor organizations, and rural communities to discuss shared priorities for agricultural recovery, food security, and sustainable growth.

Farmers supported by FAO and its partners also shared their stories during the event, which culminated in the presentation of the “Taste Through Time” gastronomic project by the MHP Culinary Center, created under the direction of Brand Chef Illya Demkovskyi. The reception featured signature dishes of modern Ukrainian cuisine paired with wines representing Ukraine in Bordeaux, presented by the Ukrainian Corporation of Viticulture and Winemaking “Ukrvinprom” as part of the “Wine of Ukraine” initiative.

Local activities also took place in Dnipro, Odesa, and Lviv, as well as at the Nemishaieve Vocational College, engaging local authorities, partners, farmers, students, and community groups in interactive sessions on sustainable agriculture, soil care, and healthy nutrition – underlining the message that food systems recovery begins at the community level.

Looking ahead

This year’s anniversary reminds that food security is both a right and a shared responsibility. Through the “Four Betters” – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – FAO and its partners continue to help Ukraine move from crisis to recovery, and from recovery to sustainable growth.