FAO Opens 2026 World Food Forum in Rome to Address Global Agrifood Challenges

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) opened the 2026 World Food Forum (WFF) on Monday at its headquarters in Rome, bringing together government leaders, scientists, investors, farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and youth representatives to discuss agrifood systems transformation. Running from 8 to 16 October under the theme "Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow," the week-long event focuses on utilizing science, technology, innovation, and traditional knowledge to tackle food security issues.

Now in its sixth year, the forum is structured around three main tracks: the Global Youth Action Initiative, the Science and Innovation Forum, and the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum. The schedule includes high-level dialogues, investment matchmaking, innovation laboratories, and cultural exhibitions.

In his opening remarks, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu stated that technological deployment, traditional knowledge, and youth empowerment are critical factors for meeting future global food demands. Qu noted that innovation is necessary as agricultural sectors face intensifying climate extremes, biodiversity loss, water resource pressures, and declining rural productivity.

The opening ceremony featured addresses from several world leaders, including King Letsie III of Lesotho, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona of the Dominican Republic, President Keiko Sofía Fujimori Higuchi of Peru, Acting President Delcy Eloína Rodriguez Gómez of Venezuela, President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, Vice President María José Pinto of Ecuador, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Micheál Martin of Ireland.

Alongside the main event, the FAO launched the 2026 Global Youth Forum. During the youth opening ceremony, FAO presented certificates to mark the establishment of 35 new National Youth Chapters across multiple global regions. Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, announced a partnership between the WFF Youth Committee and the UN Youth Office to increase institutional collaboration.

Key components of the 2026 forum include an exhibition on agricultural biodiversity titled "From Seeds to Foods" at Rome's Circus Maximus, discussions on artificial intelligence and digital tools at the Science and Innovation Forum, and dedicated sessions on water resource management and Indigenous Peoples' food systems. The event also coincides with World Food Day, as FAO figures estimate that approximately 673 million people worldwide face hunger and 2.6 billion cannot afford a healthy diet.

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