UN International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) 2025 Observed on September 29.

Important Days

The United Nations (UN) recently observed the 6th International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) on 29 September 2025. The day highlights the urgency of reducing food loss and waste globally, ensuring food security, sustainability, and climate resilience.


      - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/74/209 on 19 December 2019, proclaiming 29 September as IDAFLW. The first observance took place on 29 September 2020, recognizing the critical role of sustainable food production.

      - The day is jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In 2025, both agencies reinforced the call for reducing food losses and waste at every level of the supply chain.

      - The 2025 observance emphasizes expansion of stakeholder efforts—from farmers, industries, and consumers to policymakers—encouraging collective action in reducing food loss and waste through innovative, inclusive, and resilient solutions.

Main Point :-   (i) IDAFLW directly supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 12.3, which aims to halve global food waste per capita at retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses in production and supply chains by 2030.

      (ii) Indian households generate about 78.2 million tonnes of food waste annually, averaging 55 kg per person per year. This waste significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with food loss and waste accounting for 8–10% of total GHGs.

(iii) The 2025 official observance was jointly organized by FAO and UNEP on 29 September, featuring events focused on innovative solutions, securing financing for sustainable food systems, and strengthening global cooperation against food loss and waste.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Executive Director: Inger Anderson
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
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