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World Food Day is marked each year on Oct. 16, with more than 150 countries now participating, making it one of the most recognized international observances within the UN. On World Food Day, we must heighten public awareness of hunger and malnutrition, promote global cooperation in food production and distribution, and reaffirm the human right to adequate food. We must also ensure that, in a world abundant with knowledge, wealth, technology and resources, no person suffers from hunger.

World Food Day has evolved into a platform where policymakers, scholars, civil society organizations and individuals can get together to discuss food insecurity. But food insecurity is interconnected with other issues such as climate change, sustainability and nutrition.

The theme for World Food Day this year is “” This theme points to the importance of collective action and solidarity in building resilient agrifood systems that are equitable, nutritious and sustainable.

This can be achieved if various parties, including governments, international institutions, private actors, farmers, researchers and communities, collaborate across disciplines and borders. The term “Better Foods” refers to the need for dietary diversity and access to nutritious, safe and affordable foods. And “Better Future” reminds us that the choices made today will shape the health of both people and the planet for years to come.

Climate change, conflict and economic instability threaten to reverse decades of progress in the fight against hunger

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh

Today, climate change, conflict and economic instability threaten to reverse decades of progress in the fight against hunger. Those in power should move beyond reactive policies toward comprehensive, inclusive strategies that prioritize both immediate relief and long-term sustainability.

While World Food Day is often celebrated for solidarity, it should also remind us of one of the greatest paradoxes of the modern world: in spite of the unprecedented scientific and technological advancement, hundreds of millions of people still face hunger and malnutrition every day. According to the 2025 edition of “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World,” about 673 million people — some 8.2 percent of the global population — experienced chronic hunger in 2024.

About one in every 11 people around the globe still up each day not sure of where his or her next meal will come from, even though the world already produces enough food to feed everyone. In conflict zones and fragile regions, the situation is catastrophic. Therefore, the persistence of hunger in a world of abundance is an economic and logistical problem, as well as a moral and political failure.

One of the central reasons hunger persists is the devastating impact of conflict. In regions torn apart by war or instability, food systems tend to collapse because production is interrupted, trade routes are blocked and humanitarian access is impossible. The World Food Programme has that 70 percent of those experiencing acute hunger live in fragile or conflict-affected countries. From Sudan and Yemen to Congo, South Sudan and Gaza, conflict remains one of the strongest predictors of famine. Farms are often abandoned during conflict and supply chains are destroyed, along with essential infrastructure such as roads and storage facilities.

Another structural reason behind hunger is the unequal distribution of food and the extraordinary scale of waste in wealthier regions. Global food production is more than enough to meet the needs of the world’s population. But about 40 percent of all food is lost or wasted at some point along the supply chain.

A healthier diet not only improves individual well-being but also reduces pressure on healthcare systems

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh

This is happening while, in low-income countries, more than 70 percent of people cannot a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, legumes and proteins. Globally, the number is about 2.8 billion people — that is more than a third of the population. Economic inequality, high food prices and inadequate infrastructure deepen this disparity. This imbalance also points to broader global inequities in trade, resource allocation and power relations.

Beyond the quantity of food available, the quality of what people eat is also essential. Malnutrition includes hunger as well obesity and diet-related diseases that are normally caused by poor-quality and highly processed foods. Populations with limited access to diverse foods often rely on inexpensive, calorie-dense but nutrient-poor diets; these can contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses.

As a result, raising awareness of healthy eating habits and improving the quality of food production can lead to long-term social and economic benefits. A healthier diet not only improves individual well-being but also reduces pressure on healthcare systems, enhances labor productivity and ultimately leads to a happier and healthier society.

Finally, at its current level of scientific, economic and technological development, the world has the means to eradicate hunger once and for all. What is needed is political will, efficient governance and collective action. In addition, conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy, food system waste must be minimized and public policies must emphasize nutrition and health over profit and convenience.

While World Food Day points to the progress made toward eradicating hunger, it should also highlight the fact that many millions of people still go to bed hungry each night despite living in an age of abundance. What we need is a sense of urgency, moral responsibility and compassion. This day should not just be a ceremonial event but one that leads to a practical movement that unites governments, nations, communities and individuals so that no person suffers from hunger.

• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh