Series of major events at FAO throughout the week

The Rome-based United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) commemorates World Food Day on 16 October, the anniversary of the founding of FAO in 1945.

This year the theme of the annual event is "Feeding the world, caring for the earth", highlighting in particular the role of family farming in eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition and achieving sustainable development.

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) convenes at the FAO headquarters near the Circus Maximus from 13-18 October to discuss policies in relation to food losses and waste, and how sustainable fisheries can support food security and nutrition.

On 15 October, Chinese premier Li Keqiang will address FAO on China's achievements and contribution to global food security and agricultural development. This is followed by the launch of the Thomson Reuters Foundation's online hunger and nutrition news platform which is supported by FAO and is designed to raise awareness of hunger and food-related issues.

On 16 October, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and former Ghanaian president John Kufuor will be the keynote speakers at the World Food Day ceremony dedicated to supporting family farming.

Lastly the annual Hunger Run ten-km and five-km fundraiser event takes place on 19 October, with proceeds going towards projects that help the poor to improve their ability to produce and access food. The event is organised by FAO as well as the UN's other Rome-based agencies, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as Biodiversity International, in collaboration with city authorities.