World Food Day is being commemorated across Bangladesh on Friday, emphasizing agricultural innovation, food security and guaranteed access to wholesome nutrition.

This year's global theme for the occasion is "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow."

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), integrating inventive solutions alongside traditional knowledge can play a vital role in securing sufficient, safe and nutritious food while simultaneously safeguarding the environment.

To mark the observance, the Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the FAO and other key stakeholders, organized a national seminar at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in Dhaka.

The gathering centers on fostering innovation, increasing investment and strengthening cooperation to enhance food production and overall nutrition, drawing attendance from government representatives, researchers, development partners, farmers' representatives, and private-sector entities.

The day is being observed against a backdrop of persistent strain on food access throughout the country.

Citing an analysis conducted by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the FAO's September country brief estimated that roughly 18.1 million individuals in Bangladesh would experience crisis-level or even more severe acute food insecurity between September and December 2026.

The evaluation linked this deteriorating forecast to diminished household purchasing power, elevated inflation rates, and flood-induced losses to local livelihoods in several regions.

In an official message delivered on World Food Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that approximately 645 million people suffered from hunger last year, with nearly 2.7 billion individuals unable to afford a healthy diet.

Addressing the global crisis, he stated, "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow." and urged for expanded investment and collaborative action to render nutritious food more attainable, while emphasizing the application of data, modern technology, and inventive practices to fortify global food systems.