WFF Brazil Youth Chapter Joins CNA’s new leadership forum and 2025 legislative agenda launch

On 26–27 March 2025, Brasília hosted the 1st Forum of New Leaderships in Agribusiness, organized by the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA). The event brought together young representatives from all Brazilian states, including rural producers from diverse value chains and production scales, with the aim of fostering leadership, innovation, and sustainable development in the agricultural sector.

The World Food Forum (WFF) Brazil Youth Chapter was represented by seven members: Alexandre Junqueira, Ana Carolina Zimmermann, Flavio Andrade, Julia Cristina Campos, Lucas Ingold, Luciana Kliemann and Rafael Riedel. Invited by CNA, these young leaders actively engaged in the national dialogue, contributing youth perspectives to discussions on the future of agribusiness in Brazil.

Throughout the forum, the Chapter members engaged with rural youth organizations from their respective states and connected with key stakeholders, including global networks like Nuffield. These exchanges strengthened their commitment to amplifying youth participation in agrifood systems, resource management and bioenergy - driving forward a shared vision of innovation and sustainability in rural communities.

In parallel to the forum, the young leaders took part in the official launch of the 2025 Agricultural Legislative Agenda at the Federal Senate. Developed by CNA, the agenda outlines the main legislative priorities under discussion in the National Congress. These include pressing issues such as rural taxation, environmental regulation, land tenure, and rural education, critical to shaping more resilient and inclusive agrifood systems in Brazil.

The event also marked the debut of the Agribusiness Spokespersons Program, a new CNA initiative designed to train emerging leaders in strategic communication and public engagement. The Chapter’s active participation in this programme reflects their growing role in advancing dialogue, collaboration and forward-thinking solutions within the sector.

A highlight of the forum was the appointment of Alexandre Junqueira as Vice President of CNA’s New Leaderships Commission, a notable achievement that positions the Chapter at the center of national decision-making processes. This milestone further elevates youth voices in shaping the future of food production in Brazil.

Looking ahead, the Chapter aims to share these learnings with fellow members, broaden institutional partnerships and build communication networks that strengthen rural development and food security. These efforts are closely aligned with the principles of the WFF Youth Initiative and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which advocate for inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems that ensure healthy diets for all.

The presence and leadership of young people at high-level events such as this reaffirm the vital role of youth in transforming agrifood systems and ending hunger.