(VOVworld) – Celebrating this year’s World Food Day on Friday, senior United Nations officials called on the international community to speed up efforts on eradicating hunger and improving the way food is produced and consumed.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre), on World Food Day at Expo Milano 2015 with heads of UN agencies and other dignitaries ( Photo: FAO )

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that global leaders must act collectively on fulfilling the recently adopted Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve complete eradication of hunger in the next fifteen years. Mr. Ban underscored that social protection is a tool to reach the most vulnerable as it prevents people from falling into extreme hardship and provides food and nutrition security. He also called on the involvement of famous people including fashion designers, diplomats, rock stars and athletes in the fight against hunger and poverty.