Addis Ababa, October 14, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s remarkable achievements in ensuring food sovereignty and agricultural transformation have drawn strong recognition at the World Food Forum 2025, taking place this week at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, under the global theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”
The Forum, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has brought together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, scientists, and youth from more than 100 countries to exchange experiences and scale up solutions toward sustainable food systems.
Ethiopia is represented at the week-long event by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa, State Minister for Agriculture Sofia Kassa, and a delegation of agricultural experts. The country’s recent progress toward self-sufficiency and food sovereignty has been cited as a model for Africa during various high-level sessions.
During the opening ceremony, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva commended nations demonstrating practical results in food system transformation.
In his remarks, President Lula da Silva particularly praised Ethiopia’s agricultural efforts, describing them as “commendable and exemplary for countries working to secure their own food sovereignty.”
He noted that Ethiopia’s integrated approach—anchored in community mobilization, indigenous knowledge, and climate-resilient practices—has delivered tangible results in achieving food self-sufficiency within a short period.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Ethiopia’s experience was further highlighted at the Second Global Alliance Initiative Country Partnership Forum, an international platform established at Brazil’s initiative to foster cooperation in food security and agrifood innovation.
Speaking at the event, Ethiopian Ambassador to Italy Demitu Hambisa underlined that the country has achieved visible progress through the YeLemat Trufat (Bounty of the Basket) Program, a homegrown initiative launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to strengthen local food production and nutrition.
She emphasized that the program has significantly boosted the production of eggs, milk, honey, and fish, enhancing both household nutrition and rural livelihoods across the country.
Forum participants noted that Ethiopia’s efforts demonstrate how locally led and evidence-based approaches can align with global goals for sustainable agrifood systems transformation. They underscored that such experiences provide valuable lessons for other developing nations facing food security challenges.
As part of the World Food Forum’s broader agenda, global leaders and experts called for strengthened international cooperation, resource mobilization, and investment to accelerate collective progress toward ending hunger. The Forum will continue throughout the week, featuring dialogues, exhibitions, and innovation labs under the FAO’s “Hand in Hand” framework aimed at achieving a hunger-free and resilient world.