At Rome’s Circo Massimo, once the track for ancient chariot races, 400 agricultural products and new food technologies went on display as the World Food Forum opened its 2026 gathering. The event closed on Friday with a renewed focus on turning ideas into practical steps toward a world without hunger.
Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the forum ran from 8 to 16 October at FAO headquarters and nearby venues. Its theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” drew more than 90,000 participants from 189 countries. In-person attendance doubled from the previous year to 32,000, while online content and messages reached an estimated 2.4 billion people. The scale reflects how food production, nutrition and access to investment connect communities around the world.
More than 200 sessions, exhibitions and side events brought together leaders, farmers, fishers, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, investors and young people. The five-day “From Seeds to Foods” exhibition at the Circo Massimo presented innovations in farming, nutrition and sustainability. The week also included high-level talks, science sessions, cultural events and opportunities to build partnerships.
At the closing ceremony, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said the forum’s worth could not be measured by attendance alone. He pointed to the connections made, ideas questioned and partnerships formed, and urged young participants to take a leading role. “Every great transformation in human history began with someone young enough to believe it was possible,” he said, adding: “So go, lead, innovate, nourish. And know that FAO stands with you.”
More than 2,100 young people from 171 countries took part in the Global Youth Forum. FAO shared updates on youth-led projects around the world and launched 33 new National Youth Chapters. That brought the network to more than 100 chapters, giving the wider youth movement a presence in more communities.
The Science and Innovation Forum examined topics including artificial intelligence governance, biotechnology, climate adaptation and health. Qu warned that new research has limited value if farmers cannot use or afford it. “Science must reach the farmer in her own language and on her own device, and it must be backed by resources,” he said. The message pointed to a key challenge for food innovation: making sure breakthroughs can work on farms, not just in laboratories.
Financing was another focus. At the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, 38 countries and five regional initiatives presented a record $20.16 billion in proposed agrifood investments. Governments, businesses, development banks and foundations discussed funding plans, risks and partnerships. Qu said good ideas need funding and called for a stronger bridge between scientific discoveries and large-scale use.
The forum ended with ambitious proposals and a larger youth network, but its lasting test will be what happens after participants return home. The partnerships and investments discussed in Rome offer ways to move research and local ideas toward action, while the call to make science reachable for farmers keeps that work grounded in the people who grow food.