GEORGETOWN, Guyana — President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday marked World Food Day 2025 with a call for global unity in the fight against hunger, reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to building a food-secure nation and leading regional efforts to reduce dependence on imports.
In a statement, Ali said the day “reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure that every person, everywhere, enjoys access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.”
This year’s observance coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Ali congratulated the FAO, praising its decades of work supporting smallholder farmers, promoting climate-smart agriculture and keeping food security at the center of the global agenda.
The 2025 World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” underscores the need for worldwide collaboration among governments, the private sector and communities. “The future of food depends on our ability to work hand in hand,” Ali said.
However, Ali warned that rising global food prices continue to strain vulnerable households. Citing the 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, he said inflation has weakened purchasing power, especially in low-income countries, and made healthy diets less affordable while ultra-processed foods remain cheap.
“Global cooperation is essential for building a more just and nourishing food future,” he said.
Ali noted that Guyana has also faced rising food costs and supply chain disruptions, but remains determined to ensure that citizens have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. To counter these challenges, Guyana is advancing a national strategy aimed at transforming its agriculture sector and emerging as the regional food hub of the Caribbean.
Key initiatives include:
- Scaling up production of priority commodities and diversifying into new crops, livestock, and aquaculture;
- Targeting regional and international markets to strengthen trade and supply chains;
- Investing in infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads, modern storage facilities, ports and transport systems;
- Modernizing agriculture through technology, precision farming, digital extension services and climate-smart practices;
- Transforming the livestock industry and expanding aquaculture and sustainable fisheries;
- Enhancing value addition and logistics to retain more economic value locally; and
- Ensuring women and youth are central to agricultural development.
Despite these efforts, Ali emphasized that no country can defeat hunger alone.
“The challenge of World Food Day 2025 calls for governments, the private sector, civil society and communities to work hand in hand,” he said. “No single nation can solve hunger on its own.”
Ali said Guyana approaches this mission “with conviction and optimism,” inspired by the FAO’s legacy and this year’s theme.
“Together, hand in hand, we can build a better future,” he said. “Happy World Food Day!”