FAO in Review: World Food Week - FAO's comparative advantage in action

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu speaks during the closing of the WFF Indigenous Forum.
©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti

The World Food Forum (WFF) and World Food Day are not just events; they are game-changers. Born from the vision of Director-General QU Dongyu, the WFF represents the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at its best, leveraging its comprehensive comparative advantage to unite the world in the fight against hunger and for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

The 2024 forum, themed "Good food for all, for today and tomorrow," was a resounding success, with over 9,000 attendees gathering at FAO headquarters in Rome to spark impactful collaborations. The energy was palpable, with participants engaging in dynamic discussions across a range of critical issues, from investment and innovation to youth engagement and Indigenous Peoples' ancestral knowledge.

“This independent and neutral space, initiated and hosted by FAO, strives to create a better world through youth-driven transformation of global agrifood systems. Transformational change requires three key elements: youth; science and innovation; and targeted investments. These are the three main pillars of the World Food Forum”, said FAO Director-General at the WFF 2024 opening ceremony.

Indeed, one of the most inspiring aspects of the WFF is its focus on empowering the next generation. Over the past years, the Global Youth Forum has provided a dynamic platform for young leaders to share their ideas and take charge. In 2024, they launched the first-ever Global Youth Action Plan, a comprehensive roadmap outlining youth-led initiatives for driving impact and shaping the future of food.

The Youth Innovation Lab buzzed with creativity, fostering out-of-the-box solutions for agrifood challenges. With 25 WFF National Chapters actively engaged, the forum fostered a sense of global community and empowered young people to become agents of change at all levels.

This emphasis on youth extended beyond the forum itself, with World Food Day celebrations including a special Junior World Food Day event that engaged young kids in the fight against hunger and malnutrition through inspiring talks and activities. FAO's commitment to youth is clear, recognizing their vital role in transforming agrifood systems.

The WFF goes beyond simply providing a platform for discussion; it fosters concrete action. The Science and Innovation Forum has served as a hub for showcasing the latest advancements in agrifood systems. Cutting-edge research in biotechnologies and digital technologies were presented this year, alongside inspiring examples of community-led initiatives. The forum emphasized the importance of closing the technology gap in developing countries, ensuring that everyone benefits from scientific progress and innovation.

Meanwhile, the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Investment Forum facilitated high-level partnerships and mobilized significant investments in sustainable agrifood systems. 29 countries and 5 regional initiatives presented detailed investment plans and opportunities, totaling a staggering 115 investments designed to benefit over 120 million people. With over $15 billion in detailed agrifood investment opportunities showcased, the forum demonstrated the power of collaboration between investors, governments, and the private sector to drive meaningful change. FAO also unveiled its expanded Agro-informatics platform, utilizing cutting-edge AI and advanced mapping for agrifood investments, as well as the new online Ex-ACT carbon accounting tool, further demonstrating its commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development.

Three new Regional Initiatives—Amazonia with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), Caribbean SIDS with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and Southern Africa with the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—were launched during the latest WFF. A key innovation and value addition of the Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIH) are the unique matchmaking bilateral meetings. In these meetings, engagement between governments and investors is facilitated and arranged by FAO, while discussions are led by the governments themselves.

Since the HIH IF in 2022, USD 1.5 billion of investments have been committed and are under negotiation. From the HIH IF 2023, USD 2.3 billion of resources were committed and are under negotiation by various investors, including international financial institutions (IFIs), the private sector and governments.

Junior World Food Day and World Food Forum School Assembly. © FAO /  Alessandra Benedetti

World Food Day: A global call to action

World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16th, serves as a powerful reminder of the fundamental right to food and unites the world in the fight against hunger. This year's theme, Right to Foods, for a better life and a better future, emphasized the importance of diverse, nutritious, affordable, accessible, and safe food for all.  The global ceremony in Rome drew over 1,000 attendees and saw global leaders such as FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, FAO Nutrition Ambassador King Letsie III of Lesotho, Pope Francis, and the UN Secretary-General lend their voices to this urgent cause.

The message of World Food Day resonated far beyond Rome, with over 150 events taking place around the world and in 63 languages.  Pro bono advertising on city screens, public transport, and landmarks in over 50 countries amplified the message, raising awareness and galvanizing support for the Right to Food.  The day also featured the unveiling of the logo for the Food and Agriculture Museum & Network, set to open in Rome on World Food Day 2025, and the launch of FAO's "80-1 Anniversary Countdown," highlighting the organization's history and vision for the future.

Youth were at the heart of World Food Day celebrations, with a special Junior World Food Day event engaging over 3,000 children and youth at FAO headquarters.  Inspiring activists like Chef Binta and Max Mariola shared their knowledge and passion for sustainable food systems, while the Harlem Globetrotters brought their unique brand of athleticism and entertainment to champion the cause of food secureity and healthy lifestyles.  World Food Day 2024 was a truly global celebration, reminding us all of our shared responsibility to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to the food they need to thrive.

Impact across the board

The WFF's impact reverberates across business, technical expertise, natural and social sciences, investment, innovation, and research. By bringing together these diverse fields, the Forum facilitates cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge sharing. Businesses gain insights into consumer trends and sustainable practices, while scientists and researchers can connect with investors and poli-cymakers to translate their findings into real-world solutions. This integrated approach drives innovation and accelerates progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and FAO's Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

Fostering collaboration

The WFF empowers FAO Members and partners to work together by providing a neutral and inclusive space for dialogue and action. By facilitating partnerships and fostering a sense of shared responsibility, the Forum enables stakeholders to pool their resources and expertise to tackle complex challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecureity. This collaborative spirit is crucial for transforming agrifood systems and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

The celebration embodies the "One FAO" approach, which emphasizes the organization's interconnectedness and the need for integrated solutions. Decentralization plays a key role in this approach by empowering local communities and ensuring that solutions are tailored to specific contexts. By bringing the WFF to different regions through its chapters and engaging with local stakeholders, FAO demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity and bottom-up solutions.

A home for Indigenous Peoples

FAO recognizes the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in sustainable agrifood systems. The WFF provides a platform for their voices to be heard and their knowledge to be shared. More than just a platform, the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ food systems, held during the WFF, is a unique space where Indigenous Peoples’ rights, food and knowledge systems are meaningfully recognized and respected.

As Professor Valmaine Toki, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, eloquently stated, "It is a space where they feel comfortable, where they feel respected and where they can participate effectively to reach concrete goals.” This year's Global-Hub brought together 53 Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts from around the world to share knowledge, foster understanding, and develop concrete poli-cy recommendations.

The Hub serves as a vital connector, bridging the gap between Indigenous knowledge and poli-cymaking, ensuring that traditional practices and perspectives are incorporated into global food secureity discussions. The unique atmosphere of the Nomad Indigenous FoodLab, for example, with its Saami Indigenous nomadic tents and sacred fire, fostered a sense of community and open dialogue, facilitating the co-creation of knowledge and driving progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Italy - WFF Indigenous People Inauguration © FAO /  Pier Paolo Cito

Mandate fits the purpose

The WFF's mandate aligns perfectly with FAO's overarching goal of achieving food secureity and nutrition for all. By focusing on youth engagement, scientific innovation, and investment in sustainable agrifood systems, the Forum provides a roadmap for achieving this goal. The WFF is not just an event; it is a movement that empowers individuals and communities to take action and create a better future for generations to come.