World Food Forum 2025 concludes with renewed global commitment to transform agrifood systems through solidarity, science, & investment | FAO News

Rome – The 2025 edition of the World Food Forum (WFF) concluded today at the headquarters of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. This year’s Forum included the celebration of a historic World Food Day marking FAO’s 80th anniversary & brought together global leaders, policymakers, youth, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, farmers, investors, & innovators around a shared goal: transforming agrifood systems for a sustainable, hunger-free world.

Under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods & a Better Future,” WFF 2025  hosted over 300 events with 16,500 in-person participants & attracting more than 60,000 online participants from nearly 200 countries. Through social media, the Forum reached 1.5 billion people & generated 1.6 million engagements.

The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum showcased opportunities worth $17.2 billion, with 31 countries & six regional initiatives sharing plans that could transform the lives of 160 million beneficiaries.

In his closing remarks, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu praised the Forum as a transformative movement with purpose, driven by people, & guided by the conviction that food is the foundation of our shared future.

He urged participants to carry forward the momentum beyond Rome: “Take the inspiration you felt & transform it into progress,” he said.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Rosângela Lula da Silva, First Lady of the Federative Republic of Brazil & COP30 Special Envoy for Women, underscored the Forum’s focus on youth & the importance of uniting young people, communities, & governments to ensure food security & uphold the right to food for all.

In his video message delivered during the closing ceremony, António Costa, President of the European Council, reaffirmed that the European Union & FAO share the same vision of addressing the root causes of hunger, & highlighted that FAO’s expertise & leadership are essential for Europe, for all the Members, & for the whole world.

High-Level Forum

WFF 2025 started on 10 October with the inauguration of the “From Seeds to Foods”, the first global exhibition tracing the evolution of agrifood systems – from the origins of agriculture to today’s innovations. The exhibition transformed the Park of Porta Capena, in from of FAO headquarters, into a living open-air gallery that celebrated the diversity of global agrifood systems & showcased technologies & practices shaping the future of food & agriculture. Highlights included a replica of the Svalbard Seed Vault, an aquaponic greenhouse, agricultural drones, satellite technologies, & even dogs trained to detect plant diseases – a testament to innovation & creativity across agriculture.

The Forum’s opening ceremony took place on 13 October in a high-level ceremony led by Director-General Qu Dongyu. It included the participation of King Letsie III of Lesotho, FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition; Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil; Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim Government of Bangladesh, Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan; The Prime Minister of Djibouti, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed; & the Prime Minister of Eswatini, Russell Mmiso Dlamini.

Another high-level moment was the celebration of World Food Day 2025 on 16 October, which marked FAO’s 80th anniversary. The Global Ceremony was attended by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV; the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; King Letsie III of Lesotho; Queen Letizia of Spain; & the Uruguay President Yamandú Orsi Martínez. President Xi Jinping of China sent a congratulatory message – delivered by Han Jun, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of China.

The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, also visited FAO the same day to inaugurate the Food & Agriculture Museum & Network (FAO MuNe). Throughout the week, the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, visited FAO headquarters, & opened the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. In addition, WFF 2025 was attended by more than 50 ministers & 100 vice-ministers.

From ideas to action

The Forum’s three key pillars—Youth, Science & Innovation, & Investment—showcased how global cooperation can drive real change. The Science & Innovation Forum (SIF) highlighted solutions for climate resilience, digital agriculture, & sustainable water management, while the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum presented tangible opportunities for new partnerships & investments in agrifood transformation.

The Youth Assembly brought together more than 1,200 young leaders & experts in person & tens of thousands of people joining online, from all six regions, showcasing the growing impact of youth-led action in transforming agrifood systems. By supporting, empowering & mobilizing youth across the globe & providing more than $160 000 in direct support to youth-led solutions, the Assembly demonstrated its commitment to turning ideas into action.

In addition, the Director-General highlighted two WFF side events this year, noting that the Rome Water Dialogue placed water—the lifeblood of agriculture—at the centre of discussions, & that the South-South & Triangular Cooperation Ministerial Dialogue strengthened global solidarity & cooperation.

“The World Food Forum is still young, but its impact is undeniable,” the Director-General concluded. “Let us move forward with courage, creativity, & solidarity—working hand in hand for better foods & a better future.”

The Science & Innovation Forum officially closed with the side event “One Health in agrifood systems is everyone’s health,” highlighting the interdependence of human, animal, plant, & ecosystem health.

The week also featured the inauguration of the FAO Food & Agriculture Museum & Network (MuNe), connecting food heritage with innovation & linking past & future.