New York, October 8, 2026 – Reducing food loss and waste is a priority for global food security and the promotion of sustainable consumption patterns. This was the core message of the event organized at the United Nations by the Permanent Mission of Italy, together with the Permanent Missions of the Dominican Republic and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
“The real challenge facing us all is to move from awareness to research, and from research to action,” said Italy’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Giorgio Marrapodi, in his opening remarks. He also underscored the importance of accelerating efforts to tackle food waste, complementing public policies and technological innovation with a deeper understanding of consumers’ everyday habits and choices.
In his remarks, Professor Andrea Segrè of the University of Bologna, a pioneer and leading advocate of numerous initiatives aimed at preventing food waste in Italy and internationally, reflected on the role of food waste in the context of today’s sustainability challenges. Over the years, Italy’s experience has helped bring food waste to the forefront of public and scientific debate through an approach that combines awareness-raising with the collection of evidence on consumer behavior, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the “Spreco Zero Campaign” and the establishment of the Waste Watcher International Observatory on Food and Sustainability.
The event took place just days after the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, observed on September 29, and brought together institutional representatives, international organizations and academic experts, including representatives of FAO and CIHEAM.
