17th October 2019 The Acting Prime Minister of Tonga Hon Sione Vuna Fa’otusia reiterated the call from the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to “make healthy and sustainable diets accessible and affordable to everyone” during the commemoration of World Food Day (WFD).
WFD was celebrated yesterday October 16th, at Queen Salote Memorial Hall under the theme ‘Our Actions Are Our Future, Healthy Diets for a #ZEROHUNGER World’.
Hon Fa’otusia said that WFD reminds Tongans that farmers, fishers, men, women, youths and private sectors are the “vital players in the drive to achieve the goal of food security and nutrition for everyone in the Kingdom”.
“It also reminds us that our present actions will determine our future. This means the economic and social development of our country can practically be achieved by a country with healthy people. Everyone has a role to play in achieving Healthy Tonga.”
He said that the WFD theme also supports Tonga’s national priority to fight against the rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“Food plays a vital role in Tongan culture. Food is a major part of our life. For many, food and eating is life. That is why Tonga has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world. As a result, Tonga has seen a significant increase in the number of premature deaths from NCDs.”
Delivering the World Food Day 2019 Message from the FAO Director-General, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Lord Tu’ilakepa said eradicating hunger is FAO’s top priority but there is also a need to address malnutrition.
“The latest data shows that malnutrition is increasing across all regions and income groups. World Food Day 2019 calls for action to make healthy and sustainable diets accessible and affordable to everyone. Governments need to adopt policies, food standards and regulations that prioritize the availability and affordability of safe and nutritious foods.”
He stressed individuals also need to think about their food choices and eating patterns through awareness and learning.
“Let us commit to a better nutrition for a happier, healthier and better life for a better world.”
World Food Day is commemorated by all member countries of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the 16th of October every year to commemorate the founding of FAO in 1945. This year is the 39th observance of World Food Day (WFD) since 1980.
ENDS
Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communications