World Food Day is being observed across the world today to raise awareness about hunger, malnutrition and the need to ensure access to safe, nutritious and affordable food for everyone.

This year’s theme is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” The theme highlights the importance of innovation, scientific research, technology and traditional knowledge in building sustainable food systems and ensuring food security for future generations, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

World Food Day is observed annually on October 16, marking the establishment of the FAO on the same date in 1945.

The day was proposed in 1979 and has been observed worldwide since 1981.

The primary objective of the day is to draw global attention to the persistent challenges of hunger and malnutrition and encourage governments, international organisations, farmers, businesses and individuals to work together to address them.

Despite advances in agricultural technology and food production, millions of people worldwide continue to face hunger, while many others struggle to afford a healthy diet.

Poverty, conflicts, natural disasters, economic instability and climate change further aggravate food insecurity.

According to a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres marking World Food Day 2026, around 645 million people faced hunger last year, while nearly 2.7 billion people could not afford a healthy diet.

The day also highlights the importance of reducing food waste, improving food distribution, supporting farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Ensuring food security requires not only sufficient production but also equitable access to safe and nutritious food.

In Bangladesh, food security remains closely linked to agricultural productivity, food prices, farmers’ livelihoods and the effects of climate change.

Floods, cyclones, salinity and irregular rainfall can disrupt crop production and supply chains, while rising living costs can make nutritious food less affordable for low-income households.

Experts and international organisations stress the need to strengthen agricultural systems, improve food storage and distribution, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure that nutritious food is accessible to all.

World Food Day serves as a reminder that access to adequate food is a fundamental human right and that collective action is essential to building a world free from hunger and malnutrition.