As the world marks the 80th commemoration of United Nations FAO World Food Day, the call for stronger, more resilient Agrifood systems has taken center stage.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Local Correspondent, Dr. Colleen Phillips, emphasized that in an increasingly interconnected world, threats such as climate shocks, pests, diseases, and economic downturns know no borders, and risk undoing years of progress in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

She stressed the urgent need to equip those on the frontlines of food production with the tools and support required to feed communities and protect livelihoods.

"The Global Agri-Food System is more interconnected than ever, with more than a fifth of all calories crossing international borders before being consumed. At the same time threats to those Agri-Food Systems from climate shocks, pests and diseases, economic downturns or the fallout from conflicts respect no borders and can un-whine years of progress against hunger and malnutrition. No single country can combat such trans-boundary threat by working alone. We must ensure more than one billion people working in the Agri-Food Systems that feed us all have the resilience to withstand and overcome the risk they constantly face."

SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC Radio)