Today the Global Youth Forum Opening Ceremony marked the beginning of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship week at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bringing together thousands of young changemakers, government representatives, scientists and partners united in their commitment to build a better food future.
"Today is about looking forward, to the future that youth are already shaping," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in his opening remarks. He praised young people's determination, noting, "When I look at this generation, I see one that refuses to accept limits." Encouraging them to take the lead, he added, "I ask you not just to participate, but to lead. Speak boldly. Listen generously. Challenge each other, and lift each other up."
Held under the theme "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future," this year's Forum celebrates FAO's 80th anniversary and emphasizes the importance of working together across generations, sectors and regions to drive progress towards more sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. The theme aligns with FAO's vision of the Four Betters - Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life - leaving no one behind - the guiding framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Opening Ceremony featured remarks from Lesego Chombo, Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs, Botswana; Carlos Do Canto Monteiro, Minister for Youth and Sports, Cabo Verde; Víctor Julio Carvajal Porras, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Costa Rica;; and Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister for Family and Social Services, Türkiye.
Now in its fifth edition, the World Food Forum has evolved into a global, youth-led platform that brings together diverse stakeholders to accelerate action through three interconnected pillars: the Global Youth Action Initiative, the Science and Innovation Forum and the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. By bridging these dimensions, the WFF provides a space for dialogue and collaboration across generations, translating ideas into scalable solutions that contribute to the SDGs.
Hosted under FAO's Office of Youth and Women, the WFF Global Youth Action Initiative continues to mobilize young people worldwide to take the lead in transforming agrifood systems. In just five years, it has supported more than 500 youth-led innovation projects, and in the past year alone has engaged nearly 30 000 young leaders from over 180 countries, buildinga global network of over 120 000 youth committed to sustainable agrifood systems. Through consultations, mentorships and education programmes, young people are influencing policy, driving innovation and creating meaningful change in their communities.
The 2025 flagship event, taking place from 10 to 17 October, features more than 300 events across FAO headquarters and online from around the world. The Global Youth Forum Opening Ceremony gathered over 8 000 young participants, both in person and virtually, making it one of the largest youth-focused gatherings of the week.
Throughout the week, youth engagement continues through cultural and educational events celebrating creativity and collaboration. Highlights include the Youth Concert on 13 October at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, which will showcase the power of music to inspire change. The Youth Assembly, a year-round, structured space for youth to systematically contribute to agrifood systems policy and governance processes, culminates with 20 sessions to finalize concrete youth statements, declarations and action plans. The Youth Film Festival on 15 October will feature short films exploring the links between food, culture and sustainability. The WFF School Assembly on 17 October will bring together hundreds of students and young leaders to reflect and renew their commitment to a better food future. And during the week, 38 new WFF National Youth Chapters will launch, bringing the global total to 62 active Chapters driving youth-led impact at the local level.
As the WFF week unfolds, participants are engaging in discussions, innovation competitions, capacity building activities and creative showcases that reflect this year's shared message: only by working "hand in hand" can we achieve better foods and a better future for all.
The World Food Forum once again aims to demonstrate that when youth, science, innovation and investment come together, transformation is not only possible - it is already underway.
