World Food Forum 2025 concludes with renewed global commitment to transform agrifood systems
Addis Ababa, October 17, 2025 (FMC) — The 2025 World Food Forum (WFF), held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, concluded today with a unified call to action for transforming global agrifood systems.
The Forum, which coincided with FAO’s 80th anniversary, brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”
Over 16,500 in-person participants and more than 60,000 online attendees from nearly 200 countries engaged in over 300 events, generating 1.6 million social media interactions and reaching an estimated 1.5 billion people globally.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the transformative power of the Forum, stating, “This is a movement with purpose, driven by people, and guided by the conviction that food is the foundation of our shared future.” He urged participants to translate the inspiration gained into tangible progress.
The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum highlighted $17.2 billion in investment opportunities, aiming to impact the lives of 160 million people across 31 countries and six regional initiatives.
Key moments included the inaugural “From Seeds to Foods” exhibition, which showcased the evolution of agrifood systems through innovative technologies and practices. The exhibition featured a replica of the Svalbard Seed Vault, aquaponic greenhouses, agricultural drones, and plant disease detection dogs.
The Forum also celebrated World Food Day 2025, marking FAO’s 80th anniversary, with a global ceremony attended by dignitaries including His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, King Letsie III of Lesotho, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi Martínez.
As the Forum concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to transforming agrifood systems through solidarity, science, and investment, ensuring a sustainable and hunger-free future for all.