Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on countries across the world to take quick and concrete actions to reduce food loss and waste.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste held in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province.

Noting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi said food security is a fundamental issue concerning the existence of humanity and reducing food loss is an important way to ensure food security.

Xi expressed the hope that all parties would take the conference as an opportunity to work together and jointly implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and make contributions to the elimination of famine and poverty, global food security and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The conference, which opened on Friday, was themed on reducing food loss and food waste, and promoting global food security.