Erdoğan says food security is a national security issue

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the opening ceremony of the World Food Forum.

He said Turkey sees access to safe food as a matter of national security, not only food supply.

Erdoğan said about 1.5 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted worldwide each year, with 60% of waste occurring in homes at the consumer stage.

He said a Turkish campaign launched in 2020 and a separate bread-waste campaign are part of the country's efforts; he said bread waste fell by 18%.

He also credited the Zero Waste Movement, launched nine years ago under the leadership of his wife, Emine Erdoğan, with helping raise global awareness.

Turkey plans to turn its experience into practical steps at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya from November 9 to 20.

Erdoğan said Turkey also aims to link food security with climate commitments there, and asked for support for Mehdi Eker as a candidate for director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.