Seventh Observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

Date: Tuesday, 29 September, 2026Time: 12:30–14:00 (CEST)Location: FAO Headquarters – Sheikh Zayed Centre, Rome, ItalyJoin online: Register hereAbout the EventObserved annually on 29 September, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, co-convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims to raise awareness of the environmental, economic and social impacts of food loss and waste and promotes action to accelerate progress towards SDG 12.3.This year, the seventh observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste will explore the transformative potential of reducing food loss and waste for forests and sustainable agrifood systems. Food loss and waste generate significant avoidable pressure on land, water and climate, while agricultural expansion remains the leading driver of deforestation. Reducing food loss and waste can therefore help ease pressure on land and natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support more resilient agrifood systems. This event, organized by UNEP and FAO, will take place this year during COFO28 and World Forest Week, and will also include perspectives from the forestry sectors on the wider deforestation impacts of global food loss and waste.The event will take place in person at FAO Headquarters in Rome, with the option to join online. Please register using the registration link to participate.If you have any questions or would like more information about the event, please contact oscar.ivanova@un.org.