As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on World Food Day, Dr. Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General, reflects on the organization’s monumental achievements and the pressing challenges that lie ahead. Established in 1945, FAO’s mission has been to eradicate hunger and ensure global food security. Over the decades, the organization has made significant strides, from eradicating the rinderpest virus to establishing the Codex Alimentarius food safety standards and nearly tripling global rice yields. Despite these successes, chronic undernourishment persists, affecting 8.2% of the global population today, a stark contrast to the two-thirds who faced inadequate food supply in 1946. The world now produces enough calories to feed its population, yet disparities in access and distribution remain. Recent crises, such as the 2019 desert locust outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the interconnectedness of global agrifood systems and the need for international cooperation. FAO’s initiatives, including the Hand-in-Hand Initiative and the One Country One Priority Product program, aim to address these challenges by promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing market access, and leveraging digital technologies. Dr. Qu emphasizes the urgency of collective action to combat transboundary threats like climate change, pests, and diseases, which threaten to reverse decades of progress. The FAO’s vision of ‘four betters’—better production, nutrition, environment, and life—guides its efforts to ensure no one is left behind. As Dr. Qu concludes, hunger is not inevitable, and with shared purpose and collaboration, the world can achieve a food-secure future for all.