Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen!
On behalf of the organizing committee and myself, I welcome you all to these two important global events namely, World Food Day; and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This year’s themes for the events are “The right to foods for better life and better future” as well as “Decent Work, Inclusive Growth, and the Eradication of Poverty” respectively. As we all know food is the third most basic human need after air and water. Besides, the words nutrition, affordable, accessible, safe and sustainable are also included in the message of FAO’s Director General.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Securing safe and nutritious food is not just about having enough to eat, but it is also about ensuring what we consume does not harm us in the long run. Food safety is a major concern, as consuming contaminated or spoiled food can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, that is precisely the reason why it is appropriately said that “if food is not safe, it is not food”. Thus, it is imperative that we have proper regulations and systems in place to ensure that the food we eat is free from harmful pathogens and chemicals.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Nutrition is another key aspect of securing safe and nutritious food. It is not just about filling our stomach, but also about providing our bodies with the essential nutrients they need to function properly. A lack of proper nutrition can lead to a host of health issues, including malnutrition, obesity and chronic diseases.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
As we navigate through an increasingly complex and interconnected global food systems, it is important that we work together to address the challenges of securing safe and nutritious food for all. This requires collaboration between governments, policy makers, farmers, scientists and consumers.
We must prioritize sustainable agriculture practices that promote biodiversity, conserve natural resources and reduce food waste. We must also support local farmers and food producers to ensure a diverse and resilient food system that can withstand shocks and crisis.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
In 2022 FAO had formulated a 10 year strategy of four betters i.e. better production, better nutrition, better environment, better life to be achieved by the year 2031. Therefore, it is no wonder that the goal of the current five-year strategic plan of Eritrea’s agricultural sector 2024-2028 is safe and nutritious food for every Eritrean throughout the country. It is a very well-articulated strategy hinging on global and national experiences. Yes, it is ambitious but achievable if all sectors of the society i.e. government bodies, non-state actors and our development partners work seamlessly together.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Let me take this occasion to express my profound gratitude to our development partners for the concrete contributions made so far and call upon them to redouble their efforts in the future in order to comfortably achieve our noble goal.
I also take this occasion to inform this august body that Eritrea is poised for a bumper harvest due to the hard work of our farming community, the government and the well distributed gracious rain.
In conclusion, securing safe and nutritious food is a fundamental human right that we must all strive to achieve. This can be done by working together and taking action at both the individual and collective levels. By doing so we can ensure a future where everyone has access to food they need to thrive.
Finally, I commend the organizing committee for a job well done.
Thank you for your attention.
16/10/24
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