THE right to food is a fundamental human right recognized internationally. It ensures that every individual has access to adequate food that is nutritious and safe, enabling him or her to have a healthy and active life. This right is not merely about ensuring enough food to avoid hunger but extends to providing sustainable access to diverse, culturally appropriate and nutritious food sources. Promoting this right is essential for achieving broader social, economic, and political stability, particularly in regions like Asia and the Pacific, where food insecurity and malnutrition remain pressing issues.
In Asia, the situation of food insecurity is alarming. Recent reports from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) say that about 418 million people in Asia are undernourished, with significant numbers of children suffering from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. The FAO has been at the forefront of efforts to promote and protect the right to food, highlighting its importance as the theme for World Food Day in 2024. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the voluntary guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security, adopted by nearly all countries in the Asia-Pacific. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for governments to ensure that food systems are sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
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