World Food Day 2017

On October 16, a World Food Day event was held at ADA University, organized jointly by the IDEA Public Union, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). World Food Day 2017 was organized under the theme “Change the Future of Migration: Invest in Food Security and Rural Development.”

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, and Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), participated in the event.

In her speech, Leyla Aliyeva emphasized the importance of World Food Day, noting that food security and rural development are crucial for ensuring peace, stability, and sustainability worldwide. She pointed out that existing problems in this area could lead to conflict, hunger, and mass migration. She stated that migration should be a voluntary choice rather than a necessity and that investment in regional development is essential to prevent millions from leaving their homes. Leyla Aliyeva also spoke about the activities of the IDEA Public Union under her leadership, highlighting the work done over the past six years and providing information on projects of particular importance for food security, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

The event also featured speeches by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Asadov; the head of FAO's Partnership and Coordination Office in Azerbaijan, Melek Cakmak; and the head of the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Mission in Azerbaijan, Serhan Aktoprak. A video message from FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva on World Food Day was also shown.

The event continued with panel discussions on “The Economic and Political Aspects of Migration: Impacts on Agriculture and Food.” The panel discussions addressed the challenges and opportunities presented by migration in terms of food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.

October 16, the anniversary of the founding of FAO in 1945, is celebrated as World Food Day in over 150 countries worldwide. The main aim of the events dedicated to this day is to raise awareness about hunger and poverty issues globally.