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

José Graziano da Silva

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

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.

Launch of the UN’s Decade of Family Farming to unleash family farmers’ full potential

May 29, 2019

FAO and IFAD today launched the United Nations’ Decade of Family Farming and a Global Action Plan to boost support for family farmers, particularly those in developing countries.

UN food agencies to visit Lao PDR to support efforts to boost nutrition

May 10, 2019

The Director-General of FAO and the Executive Director of WFP, with a representative from IFAD, will visit the Lao People's Democratic Republic from 14-16 May 2019 to raise greater awareness about the importance of integrated food systems to improve food and nutrition security, and to see first-hand the agencies’ collaborative programmes in action.