The World Food Forum Launches its 2024 Cycle with a Dynamic Kick-off Event

The World Food Forum (WFF) successfully kicked off its 2024 cycle with a dynamic launch event on 25 April 2024. Held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) , the event focused on the year's crucial theme: "Good food for all, for today and tomorrow".

A global movement led by youth

The event highlighted the WFF's journey as a truly global movement, with a strong emphasis on youth leadership. FAO leaders, including Máximo Torero Cullen, FAO Chief Economist and Chair of the FAO Youth Committee, emphasized the Forum's commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, investments, inclusivity, science-based solutions and partnerships. This powerful combination aims to accelerate progress towards a more sustainable, resilient and hunger-free future.

Key highlights and upcoming events

The launch event unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the WFF 2024 cycle, with exciting initiatives leading up to the flagship event to be held from 14 to 18 October at the FAO headquarters. Representatives from various FAO offices provided insightful overviews of key programmes and initiatives taking place within the WFF.

• WFF Global Youth Action: WFF Head of Youth Action, Victor Muiru, and WFF Youth Policy Specialist, Leticia Tanchella Niehues, shed light on the crucial role played by youth in shaping our agrifood systems at the global, regional and local level. Highlights included key initiatives such as the Youth Assembly, where more than a thousand youth representatives and observers will engage in policy deliberation leading up to the flagship event in October. In addition, plans to expand the WFF National Chapters were unveiled, and updates were provided on the various innovation activities of the Forum - including the Startup Innovation Awards, the Transformative Research Challenge and the Youth Food Lab, supporting youth-led innovation. The Education programme, featuring the newly established AgX Fair, a Policy and Deliberation Challenge, the Youth Skills Hub and demonstration events geared towards young students, were also highlighted. Finally, the Culture programme launched a Film Festival and announced that it will celebrate Sustainable Gastronomy Day with a restaurant week in June. These initiatives aim to be as inclusive as possible and will ensure the participation of young farmers and Indigenous Peoples.
• FAO Science and Innovation Forum: FAO Assistant Director-General and Chief Scientist ad interim, Beth Crawford, spoke about the importance of cutting-edge research and technologies in driving agrifood systems transformation. The Forum will gather globally recognized science and innovation experts and encourage a diversity of perspectives based on science. It will facilitate inclusive debate and explore a myriad of thematic issues showcasing how science and innovation can be leveraged to provide good food for all, for today and tomorrow.
• FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum: FAO Chief Economist, Máximo Torero Cullen, emphasized the importance of partnerships and investments in achieving food security and sustainable agriculture. The Forum will provide a platform for national authorities to present investment opportunities to investors, multilateral development banks, the private sector and donors, with a focus on investment potential on national agriculture and food value chain investment opportunities.
• World Food Day: celebrations promise exciting activities to raise global awareness about the importance of food security and healthy diets.
• UN Decade of Family Farming Mid-Term Forum: FAO Deputy Director-General, Maurizio Martina, shed light on the importance of family farmers for the future of our agrifood systems. The Forum is an important moment to take stock of what has been achieved and what still needs to be done in the lead up to the conclusion of the decade in 2028.

Country Representatives: Applause for action and collaboration

The launch event also garnered positive reactions and strong support from FAO Members, who underlined their strong support to the Forum:

• Ambassador Marcel Beukeboom, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations in Rome, praised the Youth Food Lab and the Dutch WFF National Chapter for their impactful work and global reach.
• Vicente Amaral Bezerra, Alternate Permanent Representative of Brazil to FAO, emphasized the value of partnerships formed at WFF 2023 and the need for building on those connections for long-term impact.
• Patricia Rodríguez, Alternate Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic, highlighted the importance of Family Farming and reaffirmed their support for the Decade's initiatives. The Dominican Republic chairs the UN Decade of Family Farming International Steering Committee.
• Erma Rheindrayani Siswowaluyo, Counsellor of Multilateral Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to Italy, emphasized the critical role of youth in agrifood systems transformation and cited a concrete example of a signed MoU between Indonesia and FAO for a project that involves 150 000 young farmers in Indonesia initiated through WFF 2023.
• Anthony Muriithi, Agriculture Attache, Mission of Kenya to FAO, welcomed the theme “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow” and expressed Kenya's commitment to promoting youth participation in agrifood systems development.

Looking forward - A collaborative journey

The WFF 2024 launch event successfully set the stage for a year of dynamic activity and impactful partnerships. With a renewed focus on youth empowerment, innovation, investment, science-based solutions and global collaboration, the WFF is poised to make significant strides towards achieving a better food future for all.

Join the movement by staying updated on WFF initiatives and activities throughout the year by following our social media channels!