World Food Forum closes in Rome with more than 90,000 participants from 189 countries

19 October 2026

The World Food Forum 2026 was held from 8 to 16 October 2026 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, on the theme Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow. Over 90,000 people from 189 countries took part, with in-person attendance doubling from the previous year to 32,000, and the forum ran more than 200 sessions, exhibitions and side events. The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum saw 38 countries and five regional initiatives present a record 20.16 billion dollars in proposed agrifood investments. The Global Youth Forum drew more than 2,100 young people from 171 countries and launched 33 new National Youth Chapters, taking the total above 100. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu spoke at the closing ceremony, telling young people that a zero-hunger world is possible. A From Seeds to Foods exhibition at Circo Massimo showcased 400 agricultural products, technologies and innovations over five days.