The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a World Food Day event under the theme "The Right to Food" to address the region's challenges that include ongoing conflict, economic instability and climate change.
In its report, FAO warned that some 282 million people around the world face acute hunger as a result of the negative effects of the La Niña climate phenomenon.
The food price index rose to 124.4 points in September compared to 120.7 in August, the highest level since July 2023 with an increase of 2.1% year-on-year.
According to the FAO, sugar prices rose 10.4 percent month-on-month due to lower crop prospects in Brazil, as well as concerns that India's decision to remove restrictions on the use of sugar cane in ethanol production will affect export availability.
