Meshack Malo, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative to Ghana and Deputy Regional Representative for Africa, has assured participants at the World Food Forum (WFF) Flagship Event 2026 that, the global call to action for this year’s World Food Day celebration in Rome, Italy, extends far beyond the ceremony venue to communities across Africa and other parts of the world.
Malo made the statement while co-moderating the World Food Day ceremony at FAO headquarters in Rome on October 16, alongside Shalina Miah, Deputy Director of FAO’s Resource Mobilization Division.
The event, held under the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” brought together participants both in-person and online to highlight the need for collective action to address global food security and nutrition challenges.
Describing World Food Day as a major platform for global advocacy, he emphasized that its influence goes beyond the annual ceremony, reaching communities through the work of FAO country offices and their partners.
“Indeed, World Food Day is one of the most powerful advocacy movements on the UN calendar. Coming from Africa, I can assure you that this call to action reaches far beyond Rome,” he said.
He explained that FAO country offices across Africa are working with governments, local communities, media partners and other stakeholders to amplify the message through activities across the world. He noted that, this effort has helped to carry the campaign from an international observance into communities where action on food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture is critical.
Malo’s remarks underscored the importance of translating global advocacy into local engagement, particularly as countries work to build more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. The 2026 theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” calls attention to the role of science, technology, innovation and local knowledge in shaping the future of food and agriculture.
Beyond the message, Malo brought a cultural element to the ceremony by wearing a Ghanaian fugu, a traditional smock, in recognition of African identity and heritage.
“Speaking of bringing life, you can see that I’m wearing my African fugu from Ghana. All I’m missing now is some beats, and then I can show you a bit of the movement and sound,” he said, inviting the audience to clap along.
The moment added a cultural dimension to the celebration while reflecting the diversity of communities whose food systems and agricultural traditions form part of the global conversation on food security.
Malo is an experienced development professional whose work spans sustainable and rural development, natural resource management and water resource management. He holds a PhD in Agronomy from KU, a master’s degree in Biodiversity and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (Planning and Management).
He joined FAO in 2007 and has contributed to development initiatives, including the development of irrigation schemes and the promotion of fish exports in South Sudan. His current role as Deputy Regional Representative for Africa draws on this experience in supporting efforts to advance food and nutrition security across the continent.
The World Food Day ceremony formed part of international activities calling for stronger collaboration and practical action to transform agrifood systems. For participants at the WFF Flagship Event 2026, Malo’s message reinforced a central point: the call made in Rome must continue through governments, institutions, partners and communities working to ensure a more food-secure and sustainable future.