WCC News: Faith groups launch hunger statement at UN food security meeting in Rome

Three of the world's largest Christian organisations joined in Rome on 22 October for an unprecedented move: a unified statement on the right to food and nutrition. The World Council of Churches (WCC), Caritas Internationalis, and World Vision International launched their Joint Faith Statement during Jubilee Year 2025 celebrations, aiming to build a coalition of faith actors tackling the forces driving hunger for more than 673 million people worldwide. Photo: Caritas Internationalis 27 October 2025 This marks the first time these three global bodies have united on food security. Faith leaders, UN officials, and policy experts gathered at Caritas Internationalis headquarters to address a moral and ethical crisis: hunger persists in a world of unprecedented wealth. "As we engage in this dialogue of faith leaders and communities addressing the root causes of hunger and global nutrition challenges, we recognize the vital role of faith-based resources in confronting the systemic drivers of hunger," said Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace. "Our aim is to build a strong coalition of faith actors to influence policy, empower local communities, and draw upon our shared theological wisdom and enabling legal instruments. Together, we can make a real difference for the more than 673 million people who currently live with chronic hunger." Michael Fakhri, United Nations special rapporteur on the Right to Food, welcomed the statement as a first-of-its-kind collaboration. Access to nutritious food is a right, not charity, he stressed. Fakhri praised the statement's attention to how conflict and war affect food security, particularly in Sudan and Palestine. Photo: Caritas Internationalis Dr Arif Husain, chief economist at the World Food Programme, backed the statement's statistics but pointed to a harsher truth. "Today we have $450 trillion of wealth in our world but 14 million people may die of hunger, out of which five million are children," he said. "This is morally and ethically unacceptable." By evening, senior representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Holy See, Rome-based government missions, and Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty had gathered for a high-level reception. The dinner offered space for informal conversations and relationship-building between governments, faith groups, and UN agencies working on food justice. Represented by Juan Echanove, team lead of Right to Food,  the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations welcomed the faith leaders' statement and praised faith-based organisations for their commitment to advancing the right to adequate food. At the reception, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations officials pledged continued collaboration with faith actors to strengthen human rights-based policies and governance frameworks. Photo: Caritas Internationalis The launch came during the 53rd session of the Committee on World Food Security and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ 80th anniversary. The joint faith statement commits faith communities to address root causes of hunger and malnutrition, use evidence-based solutions, and hold governments accountable for pledges to end hunger. Organisers plan to sustain momentum through virtual sessions, national dialogues, and shared learning platforms. FAO Statement on the Faith Leaders’ Declaration on the Right to Food and Nutrition for Marginalised Communities, Including Children Jubilee Week 2025 against hunger and malnutrition Faith Leaders Statement on the Right to Food and Nutrition for Marginalised Communities including Children Download the Living Planet Monitor, Volume 1 here See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland