BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The celebration of World Food Day commenced yesterday at the Panatina SINU campus FOPA village in East Honiara.
The global theme for this year’s World Food Day is ‘Right to foods for a better life and a better future: Leave no one behind’.
World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to draw attention to the millions of individuals globally who lack access to a nutritious diet and to emphasise the importance of consistent access to healthy food.
In the Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) leads the annual celebrations in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Office in Honiara, along with various stakeholders, partners, and agricultural groups.
This year’s event coincides with several internationally recognized days, including World Food Safety Day, World Environment Day, International Women’s Day, and World Soil Day, all of which have significant consequences for global food security.
The event commenced with speeches from Deputy Secretary Technical of MAL, Michael Ho’ota, opening remarks by Permanent Secretary Dr Samson Viulu, FAO representative Douglas Yee, a keynote address by Franklyn Derek Wasi, Minister for MAL, and remarks from PRC counsellor Gong Rui, New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass, and Australian Acting Deputy High Commissioner Dr Tristan Armstrong.
The commemoration, which commenced yesterday at FOPA in Honiara, features a variety of activities, including the ‘Agriculture Show’, along with awareness campaigns, stall displays, and demonstrations of agricultural products.
The event concludes tomorrow.
