UN Resident Coordinator Remarks - World Food Day 2025

• Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania,

• Hon. Ambassador Dr. Batilda Salha Burian, Regional Commissioner of Tanga,
• Mr. Gerald Geofrey Mweli, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture,
• Ms. Agnes Kisaka Meena, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries,
• Mr. Rashid Kassim Mchatta, Regional Administrative Secretary, Tanga Region,
• Honourable District Commissioners present,
• District Executive Directors present,
• Government Officials,
• UN Family,
• Distinguished Guests,
• Members of the Press,
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

Siku ya Chakula Duniani Hoyee!

We are gathered here today to commemorate the World Food Day. A day that each one of us, as a stakeholder is committed to ensure that Tanzanians have access to a healthy and nutritious diet. We all want to see a Tanzania, and a world without hunger.

Let me begin by recognizing the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for its commitment to ending hunger in line with the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I would also like to thank everyone involved in organizing this week-long celebration here in Tanga including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the Tanga Regional Commissioner's Office, the UN Family in Tanzania, and all our valued partners. A special thank you to the people of Tanga for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Right Honourable Prime Minister, 

World Food Day draws our attention to one of humanity’s oldest responsibilities: how we grow, share and sustain the food that nourishes us. Celebrated in more than 150 countries, it is one of the most recognized international days on the UN calendar.

This year’s theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” speaks to the urgency and power of collective action. It calls upon all of us to work together, across borders and sectors to transform our agrifood systems. Meaningful progress can only be achieved through collaboration; no single actor can do it alone.

Agrifood systems today face unprecedented challenges. Conflicts, climate shocks and economic disruptions continue to threaten global food security. Meanwhile, persistent issues such as malnutrition, low productivity, high post-harvest losses, limited access to agricultural finance, pests and diseases, and the degradation of natural resources remain pressing concerns. An estimated 733 million people worldwide face hunger, while more than 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet. At the same time, obesity and food waste are on the rise, clear signs of a system out of balance.

Transforming agrifood systems is therefore not an option but a necessity. It requires shared responsibility, stronger partnerships and renewed commitment to the right to food as a basic human right.

Agrifood systems transformation is also central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those on ending poverty (SDG 1), achieving zero hunger (SDG 2), promoting decent work (SDG 8), taking climate action (SDG 13), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10). These goals are interconnected, and their success depends on ensuring that no one is left behind.

Leaving no one behind means addressing historical inequalities: ensuring that women farmers have equal access to land, credit and inputs; that youth are engaged not just as beneficiaries but as leaders of agricultural transformation; and that rural communities have the resources they need to benefit from economic growth and innovation.

As the world faces multiple crises, from rising food prices to climate-induced shocks and geopolitical tensions, Tanzania’s leadership in agricultural transformation is more vital than ever. By investing in value addition, food safety, digital infrastructure, and farmer cooperatives, Tanzania is positioning itself not only to feed itself but to become a regional food basket.

There is great strength in working together toward shared goals. The UN remains firmly committed to supporting Tanzania on this path. We will continue to align our support with national priorities and work hand in hand with the Government, private sector, civil society and farming communities to deliver solutions that are scalable, inclusive and sustainable.

Distinguished Guests, 

As we look ahead, it is crucial to emphasize that food is not just about sustenance—it is about systems. A food systems approach recognizes the interconnectedness between what we grow, how we grow it, how it reaches our plates, and how it affects our health, our environment, and our economies.

Food systems are at the nexus of climate change, nutrition, livelihoods, biodiversity, and equity. A child’s ability to learn, a farmer’s ability to earn, and a nation's ability to thrive all depend on a food system that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.

Climate shocks are not just environmental events—they are nutrition shocks, economic shocks, and development shocks. Similarly, improving agricultural productivity is not just a matter of food supply—it is an investment in health, education, and peace. We must therefore embrace a holistic approach that links production, processing, consumption, and conservation.

In this spirit, we call upon all stakeholders—government institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, farmers' associations, and communities—to continue working together to strengthen Tanzania’s food systems. Let us align our efforts, leverage our comparative advantages, and accelerate progress through innovation, policy coherence, and inclusive dialogue.

The United Nations remains a steadfast partner. As we mark the 80th anniversary of both the United Nations and FAO, we renew our commitment to supporting Tanzania’s journey towards food systems that are just, sustainable, and nourishing for all. We stand ready to walk hand in hand with you—to scale what works, adapt to what doesn’t, and ensure that no one is left behind.

Together, let us build a future where every meal sustains life, every farmer thrives, and every child grows strong. That is the promise of World Food Day—and it is a promise we must keep.

Asanteni sana na Hongereni kwa Siku ya Chakula Duniani!