Empowering farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises against climate shocks

During the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship week, the Institute of International Organizations and Global Governance (IOG) hosted an engaging youth side event titled “Empowering farmers and small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) against climate shocks”, bringing together passionate youth voices, changemakers and partners to discuss the importance of strengthening resilience and innovation in agrifood systems to tackle the growing impacts of climate change. The event, which took place on 14 October, aimed to amplify youth perspectives and promote collaboration, reinforcing the role of young people as drivers of agrifood systems transformation.

The session opened with a video message from Tshilidzi Marwala, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, who stressed that everyone is an agent of change and that youth inclusion in decision-making is vital for democracy, sustainability and peace.

Haoran Wang from IOG and Edoardo Corriere from Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) presented a youth report showing how youth-led agricultural projects combine traditional knowledge, conservation science and technology to tackle climate challenges. They noted that international organizations play a crucial role that help projects thrive.

Highlighted examples included Sumak Kawsay, a Peruvian initiative for sustainable apiculture and women’s empowerment that has trained over 60 Indigenous young women in bee conservation and has planted over 2 000 trees.  Another example was Turn Grass into Gold, a project which converts agricultural waste into income, generating USD 7 million in benefits for farmers.

Finally, Yunfei Wu from International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (UNESCO INRULED) presented education-based solutions to strengthen climate resilience, highlighting Chinese community learning centres that empower youth and rural communities through environmental awareness and vocational training.

The discussion underscored that local ownership sustains transformation, while collaboration among youth, farmers and international partners drives lasting impact.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Rosângela Lula da Silva, the First Lady of Brazil, who called for a more sustainable and equitable future grounded in innovation and humanity. She invited participants to continue this dialogue at the upcoming 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) and highlighted Brazil’s G20 initiatives against hunger and inequality. The session underscored that empowering farmers and SMEs against climate shocks requires shared responsibility, cooperation and the active engagement of youth worldwide.