World Food Forum Addresses Global Hunger Crisis
The Order of Malta calls for urgent action as millions struggle to access healthy, affordable food worldwide.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Healthy Food
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Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo addressed the closing ceremony of the World Food Forum 2026 at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The session highlighted the severe gap in global food security and the need for improved production and distribution networks.
Why it matters
The forum aimed to bridge the gap between global food production capacity and the political responsibilities required to feed a growing population. It emphasized that humanitarian efforts are critical to mitigating hunger across diverse regions.
In 2025, approximately 645 million people suffered from hunger worldwide. Additionally, 2.7 billion people globally are currently unable to afford a healthy diet.
The players
Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo
He serves as the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, an ancient order dedicated to humanitarian aid.
FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
The details
The Order of Malta utilizes its diplomatic network and humanitarian organizations to provide essential support through seed supply, water access, and food distribution. These targeted programs currently operate in Nigeria, South Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lebanon.
Timeline
In 2025, 645 million people suffered from hunger.
On October 16, 2026, the Grand Chancellor spoke at the closing ceremony.
Culture Shift
The forum aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger and achieve food security for all by 2030. It marks a broader societal shift toward prioritizing systemic food production and distribution as a universal human right.
While the forum focuses on macro-level policy, the initiatives discussed highlight the importance of supporting local agricultural producers to strengthen regional supply chains. Consumers are increasingly encouraged to consider the origins of their food and support sustainable farming practices.
The takeaway
Addressing global hunger requires both immediate humanitarian aid and long-term investment in local agricultural infrastructure. Understanding these systems helps stakeholders better support the distribution and production solutions that reach the world's most vulnerable populations.
Further reading
Learn more about nutritional access and global security efforts in the Healthy Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
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Do you trust that international organizations have the tools to effectively address the causes of hunger?
