Home - Zero Hunger

Global hunger is on the rise again, affecting over 821 million people – around one out of every nine people in the world. At the same time, multiple forms of malnutrition are threatening the health of millions worldwide.

Collaboration among the United Nations Rome-based agencies (RBAs), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) is a core priority at local, regional and global levels. Achieving a Zero Hunger world (Sustainable Development Goal 2) is at the heart of their mandates.

The three agencies are working closely together on a long-term sustainable development agenda that transforms people’s lives and improves their food security today and in the future.

Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives by addressing reasons for hunger and poverty.
IFAD is the only international financial institution dedicated exclusively to investing in rural areas to eradicate poverty and hunger. Our loans and grants enable developing countries to increase food production, create jobs and protect resources.
Responding to emergencies and saving lives and livelihoods – either through direct assistance or by strengthening country capacities – remains at the heart of WFP’s operations, especially as humanitarian needs become increasingly complex and protracted.

Leadership

Qu Dongyu

FAO Director-General

Gilbert F. Houngbo

IFAD President

David Beasley

WFP Executive Director

Working together for a #ZeroHunger world

FAO, IFAD and WFP collaborate in many ways to further the global community’s goal of creating a #ZeroHunger world. Each agency has a unique mandate related to technical expertise, international financial assistance and food aid. By working together, they give Member Countries the benefit of their complementaries and combined strengths. The three agencies coordinate their activities at international, national, and regional/local levels, contributing to the broader effort of UN system-wide coherence and coordination.

News

A common path towards Guatemala’s sustainable development

Sep 13, 2019

Today the Rome-based agencies (RBAs - FAO, IFAD and WFP) recognized the interagency country team based in Guatemala for their concerted efforts in maximizing results and impact on the ground.

2019 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation: FAO, IFAD and WFP highlight the commitment of leaving no one behind in achieving SDG2

Sep 6, 2019

The UN Rome-based Agencies (RBAs), namely, FAO, IFAD and WFP, gathered on the occasion of the UN Day for South-South Cooperation and highlighted the importance of “leaving no one behind” in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Global hunger continues to rise, says UN report

Jul 15, 2019

An estimated 820 million people did not have enough to eat in 2018, up from 811 million in the previous year, which is the third year of increase in a row.