World Food Day 2023 Statement from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack

Washington, DC -

World Food Day Statement from Secretary Tom Vilsack

World Food Day showcases the vital role that food and agriculture plays in our lives. As Secretary of Agriculture, I welcome the international recognition on the importance of farmers, ranchers, fishers, and foresters that produce the food and agricultural products we all depend upon.

Unfortunately, the world continues to face unprecedented global food security challenges. Commodity shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic created supply chain issues over the past few years. Rising energy and input costs have also increased the cost of feeding people around the world, which has only been exacerbated by natural disasters ranging from drought to hurricanes and earthquakes as well as the devastating effects of Russia's illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine and now the Israel-Hamas war.

The United States is committed to strengthening global food security. Since February 2022, the United States has committed more than $14 billion in humanitarian and development assistance with more than $7 billion of this total supporting the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program, and International Fund for Agricultural Development initiatives. We must work together to keep food and agricultural markets open and to avoid unjustified restrictive trade measures. Export bans or quotas on food or fertilizer only increase market volatility and threaten food and nutrition security at a global scale. We must support the international standard-setting organizations of Codex Alimentarius, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Internation Plant Protection Convention.

Additionally, we need more efficient, resilient agriculture that produces more with less - less land and water, fewer inputs, and resources. With technological progress and innovation, not only can we improve agricultural yields, but we can also create opportunities to better manage land, soil health, and other inputs needed for agricultural production while reducing environmental impacts. Sustainable and productive agricultural food systems also bring greater food affordability and accessibility for consumers. It is why the United States is investing in Climate Smart Agriculture and innovative new technologies and approaches at home and around the world through programs such as the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. Through increased agricultural productivity growth, we can meet the world's growing food needs while also alleviating poverty, shrinking agriculture's environmental impact and combatting climate change.

In a world facing rising food insecurity, a strong FAO is needed now more than ever. FAO provides critical support to farmers around the world increasing their resilience, efficiency, and productivity. On this World Food Day, I am proud of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's work with FAO to build a more food secure world. I look forward to our continued partnership in the years to come.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Vilsack

Secretary