Laos to mark world food day, eradication of poverty

The government, together with the United Nations, will mark World Food Day on October 16 under the theme “Our Actions Are Our Future Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger World”, and International Day and National Week for the Eradication of Poverty (IDNWEP) on October 17, with the theme of “Action Together to Empower Children, Their Families and Communities to End Poverty”. According to the United Nations in Laos, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Lien Thikeo, and Representative of FAO Laos, Mr Nasar Hayat, will speak at these events. 

World Food Day, which is celebrated in 150 countries every year, calls for action on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 - Zero Hunger and aims to raise awareness of the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for everyone. This year’s IDNWEP puts special emphasis on children and will mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20. The convention recognises the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. Poverty hurts children’s development and, in turn, leads to lower income and health in adulthood. When child poverty is recognised as a denial of children’s human rights, then people in positions of responsibility and power are legally bound to promote, protect and fulfil children’s rights. Above all, it is imperative to recognise and address the specific discriminations experienced by children. 

The government and FAO, with support from other United Nations agencies and development partners, will lead the four- day joint events to mark these two important dates and ensure commitments to action on the implementation of the SDGs.

Information source: Vientiane Times.