FAO Calls for Targeted Investments to Combat Food Loss and Waste Worldwide

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized that preventing and reducing food loss and waste can generate triple wins: improving food security and nutrition, providing economic benefits for primary producers, businesses, and consumers, and lowering environmental and climate impacts while protecting biodiversity and reducing pollution.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) marked the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste by emphasizing that reducing food loss and waste generates numerous socio-economic and environmental benefits, and by calling for targeted investments across the agrifood value chain, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where food insecurity and malnutrition are most prevalent. Some important areas for investment include (1) building infrastructure to minimize food losses; (2) developing innovative technologies to monitor and minimize food losses and waste; (3) implementing circular economy strategies to maximize food utilization; and (4) strengthening stakeholders’ ability to minimize food losses and waste and educating consumers on how to reduce food waste effectively. 

The FAO Director-General QU Dongyu delivered an address at the opening of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Exhibition at FAO Headquarters. He emphasized the need for collaboration across sectors to address food loss effectively, particularly  by partnering with the private sector to encourage investments and promote technology adoption. The event, commemorating the 6th International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, featured case studies from Ethiopia, Thailand, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic that showcased successful initiatives by the public and private sectors. Additionally, FAO headquarters is hosting an exhibition to display its efforts in food loss measurement and in innovative technologies that promote the sustainability of agrifood systems, contribute to climate action, and improve livelihoods globally. 

Reference: 

Mantuano, Christian (29, September 2025). Targeted investments to combat food loss and waste and generate triple wins. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved November 20, 025 from https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/targeted-investments-to-combat-food-loss-and-waste-and-generate-triple-wins/en