The government, in cooperation with development partners, is marking the two important days as part of global efforts to bring an end to hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition,\u00a0and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.\u00a0The event aims to ensure the fulfilment of commitments with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Eradication of Poverty.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the occasion, Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of Laos, Mr Nasar Hayat, said this year\u2019s two interlinked themes for the important world days called for action across sectors to make healthy and\u00a0sustainable diets affordable\u00a0and accessible to all.\u00a0\u201cIn recent decades, we\u00a0have witnessed dramatic changes to diet and eating patterns as a result of globalisation, urbanisation and income growth,\u201d he said.\u00a0Unfortunately, a combination of unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles have sent obesity rates soaring, not only in developed countries but also in low-income countries where hunger and obesity now often coexist. Worldwide, over 670 million adults and 120\u00a0million girls and boys\u00a0between five and 19 years\u00a0of age are obese, and over 40 million children under the\u00a0age of five are overweight. Obesity and other forms\u00a0of malnutrition affect nearly\u00a0one in three people globally, and it is estimated that by 2025 half of the world\u2019s\u00a0population will be affected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Hayat explained that according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the\u00a0World 2019 report, Laos had\u00a0a 16.5 per cent prevalence of undernourishment which\u00a0is calculated as the share of the population whose habitual food consumption is below the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life.\u00a0This rate is almost twice as high in Laos compared to the regional average of South East Asia, which stands at\u00a09.4 per cent.\u00a0Currently, one in three children under five years of age is stunted across Laos due to poverty and undernourishment.\u00a0Mr Hayat addressed these multi-layered challenges\u00a0facing Laos, noting that UN agencies have a unique role to play in efforts to ensure that food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture, poverty alleviation and rural development are increasingly recognised as significant parts of the solution to the global zero-hunger challenge under Agenda 2030.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Lien Thikeo said that some countries, including Laos, had recorded early achievements on the path to fulfilling the Sustainable\u00a0Development Goals. However, they were also facing severe impacts from natural disasters which hindered progress in the eradication of poverty and zero hunger by 2030.\u00a0Dr Lien said the occasion\u00a0was not only significant in\u00a0raising awareness about climate change and understanding future challenges but also mobilising a partnership between Laos and international partners to monitor and prevent the potentially harmful impacts of natural disasters.<\/p>\n