he 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) will begin on 10 October at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The event is structured around three pillars: Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and Hand–In–Hand Investment. The forum hopes to foster intergenerational collaboration to drive global action, while also addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Context
Global agrifood systems are straining under the pressures of the climate crisis, violent conflict, and rising food prices. Global chronic, long–term hunger fell 0.3% in 2024, according to a recent UN report. However, experts warn that ongoing crises in areas like Palestine and Sudan could cause those numbers to start rising. Meanwhile, acute food insecurity increased by almost 14 million people in 2024. This number continues to rise as more people are forcibly displaced, now living in areas with worsening food crises. A June UN report indicates that there will likely be further deteriorating food crises in 13 countries and territories, with several already experiencing famine or near–famine levels of hunger. The global increase in food prices is exacerbating these issues, especially in low–income countries. The 2025 WFF plans to turn youth–led initiatives into action plans, increase funding for many national food plans, and improve global cooperation, but can a single–week forum make sustainable headway?
What’s on the agenda
Heading into the fifth World Food Forum, here’s what you can expect:
- The 2025 WFF needs a water infrastructure action plan. The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently drew attention to the need to address the increasing global demands for food, water, and energy. Currently, agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater use, and with the growing need for freshwater and an anticipated increase of over 50% in global food demand by 2050, our freshwater supply and global food chains could experience severe disruption. To successfully address ongoing global food crises, the WFF must also find solutions for water security. The upcoming forum plans to shift conversations around water infrastructure from awareness to activism.
- AI could revolutionize agrifood systems. AI could partner with farmers, who are currently battling the unpredictable impacts of the climate crisis on their crops, by sharing data globally, detecting early signs of disease and stress in plants, and monitoring weather patterns. AI could also cooperate with researchers, monitoring and analyzing consumer data to improve food taste or create personalized diets. AI could also improve supply chain security, find solutions for sustainability in agrifood systems, and even monitor food safety.
- The WFF could be too industry–focused. Around the 2023 WFF, FIAN International addressed concerns around the forum’s close affiliation with industry leaders. The 2023 report showed the lack of Indigenous peoples, agroecology experts, and justice programs included in the forum. This year’s forum is hosting the third–ever Global Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems event, but it remains to be seen if this event will have any larger impact on the overall forum.
What they’re saying
- In times of rising food prices and disrupted global value chains, we must step up our investments in rural and agricultural transformation. These investments are not only essential for ensuring food and nutrition security—they are also critical for global stability. International Fund of Agricultural Development President, Alvaro Lario.
- Ensuring a food secure future means rallying financial resources and driving innovation. It calls for fair, transparent trade systems that ensure food can move where it’s needed, especially during crises. And it requires global solidarity to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems for all. Secretary–General of the UN, António Guterres.
The WFF is where agrifood systems transformation can truly take shape through concrete actions, partnerships, alliances, and crucial financing. Let us continue to support our young leaders, who are already mobilizing at the local level… Their commitment is a beacon of hope and progress.FAO Director–General, Qu Dongyu, in response to the 2024 World Food Forum.
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As World Food Forum convenes, global food crisis grows
Photo by bradley matjie on Unsplash
October 10, 2025
The World Food Forum began its week–long gathering in Rome today. With acute food insecurity on the rise and likely to get far worse as forcible displacement rises, the WFF’s mission is more vital than ever, writes Stephanie Gull.
T
he 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) will begin on 10 October at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The event is structured around three pillars: Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and Hand–In–Hand Investment. The forum hopes to foster intergenerational collaboration to drive global action, while also addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Context
Global agrifood systems are straining under the pressures of the climate crisis, violent conflict, and rising food prices. Global chronic, long–term hunger fell 0.3% in 2024, according to a recent UN report. However, experts warn that ongoing crises in areas like Palestine and Sudan could cause those numbers to start rising. Meanwhile, acute food insecurity increased by almost 14 million people in 2024. This number continues to rise as more people are forcibly displaced, now living in areas with worsening food crises. A June UN report indicates that there will likely be further deteriorating food crises in 13 countries and territories, with several already experiencing famine or near–famine levels of hunger. The global increase in food prices is exacerbating these issues, especially in low–income countries. The 2025 WFF plans to turn youth–led initiatives into action plans, increase funding for many national food plans, and improve global cooperation, but can a single–week forum make sustainable headway?
What’s on the agenda
Heading into the fifth World Food Forum, here’s what you can expect:
- The 2025 WFF needs a water infrastructure action plan. The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently drew attention to the need to address the increasing global demands for food, water, and energy. Currently, agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater use, and with the growing need for freshwater and an anticipated increase of over 50% in global food demand by 2050, our freshwater supply and global food chains could experience severe disruption. To successfully address ongoing global food crises, the WFF must also find solutions for water security. The upcoming forum plans to shift conversations around water infrastructure from awareness to activism.
- AI could revolutionize agrifood systems. AI could partner with farmers, who are currently battling the unpredictable impacts of the climate crisis on their crops, by sharing data globally, detecting early signs of disease and stress in plants, and monitoring weather patterns. AI could also cooperate with researchers, monitoring and analyzing consumer data to improve food taste or create personalized diets. AI could also improve supply chain security, find solutions for sustainability in agrifood systems, and even monitor food safety.
- The WFF could be too industry–focused. Around the 2023 WFF, FIAN International addressed concerns around the forum’s close affiliation with industry leaders. The 2023 report showed the lack of Indigenous peoples, agroecology experts, and justice programs included in the forum. This year’s forum is hosting the third–ever Global Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems event, but it remains to be seen if this event will have any larger impact on the overall forum.
What they’re saying
- In times of rising food prices and disrupted global value chains, we must step up our investments in rural and agricultural transformation. These investments are not only essential for ensuring food and nutrition security—they are also critical for global stability. International Fund of Agricultural Development President, Alvaro Lario.
- Ensuring a food secure future means rallying financial resources and driving innovation. It calls for fair, transparent trade systems that ensure food can move where it’s needed, especially during crises. And it requires global solidarity to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems for all. Secretary–General of the UN, António Guterres.
The WFF is where agrifood systems transformation can truly take shape through concrete actions, partnerships, alliances, and crucial financing. Let us continue to support our young leaders, who are already mobilizing at the local level… Their commitment is a beacon of hope and progress.FAO Director–General, Qu Dongyu, in response to the 2024 World Food Forum.
