PROGRAM

08.00 – 17.00

Badge Collection
FAO HQ, Main Entrance, Security Pavilion

09.00 – 10.30

Global Youth Consultation on Climate-Smart Agriculture
Session organised within the framework of the AgMission initiative
The consultation consists of a farmer-driven assessment aimed at comprehending the nuances of fostering climate-smart agriculture among young farmers, including the barriers to adoption they meet and the solutions they have found.

FAO HQ, Building A, 1 st Floor, Green Room

10.30 – 11.00

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Korean Lounge

11.00 – 13.00

Global Youth Consultation on Climate-Smart Agriculture
Session organised within the framework of the AgMission initiative
The consultation consists of a farmer-driven assessment aimed at comprehending the nuances of fostering climate-smart agriculture among young farmers, including the barriers to adoption they meet and the solutions they have found.

FAO HQ, Building A, 1 st Floor, Green Room

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch Break
FAO HQ, Building B, 8^th Floor, Russian Lounge

14.00 – 15.30

WFO YOUNG Founding Event
This session aims to bring together young farmers from around the world to collectively shape the framework for WFO’s official youth mechanism, a dedicated platform to empower young people to take the lead in their engagement on the global stage.

FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

15.30 – 16.00

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Korean Lounge

16.00 – 17.30

WFO YOUNG Founding Event
This session aims to bring together young farmers from around the world to collectively shape the framework for WFO’s official youth mechanism, a dedicated platform to empower young people to take the lead in their engagement on the global stage.

FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

18.30 – 22.00

Reception Dinner (Exclusive for Young Farmers and Invited Guests)
Hosted by CIA-Agricoltori Italiani

CIA-Agricoltori Italiani HQ “Villa Castelnuovo”, Via Mariano Fortuny, 16 – Rome

08.00 – 17.00

Badge Collection
FAO HQ, Main Entrance, Security Pavilion

08.30 – 09.30

WFO Constituencies’ Meetings
• Northern American Constituency: Philippines Room (Building C, 2^nd Floor, Room 77)
• African Constituency: Green Room (Building A, 1st Floor)

09.30 – 11.00

“United Nations Decade of Family Farming Stocktaking Moment” WATCH HERE
Session co-organised by WFO, La Via Campesina and the World Rural Forum
2024 marks the halfway point of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019-2028, an initiative established by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the importance of family farming in national public policies and investments. 
The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) has recently taken on the vice-presidency of the International Steering Committee of the Decade, which includes Member States and Family Farmers Organizations. The WFO has decided to convene this session during its Annual Meeting to gather best practices and recommendations from farmers worldwide. The aim is to evaluate the Decade’s progress, showcase successful implementation, and identify areas needing further attention to fully achieve the Decade’s goals.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

11.00 – 11.30

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Korean Lounge

11.30 – 13.00

“Innovation and Digitalization in Agriculture” WATCH HERE
Session co-organised by WFO and EU-funded Projects DIVINE and TRUSTyFOOD
Guided by insights from the EU-funded projects DIVINE and TRUSTyFOOD, of which the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is a proud partner, this session will examine the challenges and opportunities arising from the transition to digitalisation in agriculture. It will explore the potential of blockchain technology to address traceability and transparency issues in food supply chains and the untapped potential of a data-driven economy in agriculture. The session will feature the participation of young farmers from the Global North and the Global South, enriching the discussion with their perspectives.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch Break
FAO HQ, Atrium

14.00 – 18.00

Opening Ceremony WATCH HERE

Master of Ceremony: Mr Dimitri Houtart, BBC Rural Affairs Champion
Distinguished Speakers:

• Mr Arnold Puech d’Alissac, President, World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO)
• H.E. Mr Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
• Mr QU Dongyu, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• Mr Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Ms Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
• E. Amb. Ms Nosipho Jezile, Chair, Committee on World Food Security (CFS)
• Mr Ettore Prandini, President, Coldiretti
• Mr Cristiano Fini, President, Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori (CIA)
• Ms Berioska Morrison, Minister Counsellor, Mission of the Dominican Republic to the Rome-based UN Agencies (on behalf of the ISC-UNDFF presidency)
• H.E. Amb. Ms Nosipho Jelize, Chair, Committee on World Food Security (CFS)
• Ms Elizabeth Nsimadala, Board Member, World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO)

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

18.30 – 22.00

Gala Dinner
Hosted by Coldiretti
Coldiretti HQ “Palazzo Rospigliosi”, Via Ventiquattro Maggio, 43 – Rome

08.00 – 17.00

Badge Collection
FAO HQ, Main Entrance, Security Pavilion

08.30 – 09.30

WFO Constituencies’ Meetings
• European Constituency: Philippines Room (Building C, 2^nd Floor, Room 77)
• African Constituency: Green Room (Building A, 1^st Floor)
• Asian Constituency: Bangladesh Room (Building D, 2^nd Floor)

09.30 – 11.00

WFO General Assembly – Internal Affairs Session
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

11.00 – 11.30

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Korean Lounge

11.30 – 13.00

WFO General Assembly – Internal Affairs Session
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch Break
FAO HQ, Building B, 8^th Floor, Russian Lounge

14.00 – 15.30

WFO General Assembly – Internal Affairs Session
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

15.30 – 16.00

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Korean Lounge

16.00 – 17.30

WFO General Assembly – Internal Affairs Session
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

19.00 – 23.00

Social Dinner
Hosted by World Farmers’ Organisation
The Sanctuary Eco Retreat, Via delle Terme di Traiano, 4A – Rome

08.00 – 17.00

Badge Collection
FAO HQ, Main Entrance, Security Pavilion

09.00 – 09.05

High-level Session Opening WATCH HERE
Speaker: Mr Dimitri Houtart, BBC Rural Affairs Champion
FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

09.05 – 10.35

“Regenerative Agriculture – Who’s paying for the cost of transition?” WATCH HERE
Regenerative agriculture is a tool to achieve common gains: increase sustainability levels in food systems while maintaining productivity and food security. The whole food value-chain should combine their effort to fairly redistribute the costs of transition along with the actors who are benefitting from it. Who’s truly paying for the cost of transition?
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

10.35 – 11.05

“The Food Systems Database” WATCH HERE
Presentation of the Planet Food System Explorer
Speaker: Prof Peer Ederer, Member of the WFO Scientific Council

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room (livestream)

11.05 – 11.30

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Korean Lounge

11.30 – 12.45

“Agro-Innovation-Solutions for Challenges of Tomorrow” WATCH HERE
Recognising the crucial role of farmers in ensuring food and nutrition security, addressing climate change, and preserving biodiversity, this session aims to investigate how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new technologies can empower farmers, enhance their productivity and ensure food and nutrition security for everyone.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

12.45 – 13.00

“Farmers Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Food Production” WATCH HERE
Reflections from morning discussions
Speaker: Dr David Nabarro, Strategic Director, 4SD Foundation

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch Break
FAO HQ, Atrium

14.00 – 15.15

“Financing the Transition to More Sustainable Food Systems” WATCH HERE
After a scene-setting introduction, the audience will hear directly from the farmers about their experiences accessing or trying to access climate finance and the obstacles they found. Representatives from multilateral funds, agricultural banks and private investors, will help place those experiences into the broader picture of trends and opportunities facing the financial sector.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

15.15 – 15.45

Coffee Break
FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Korean Lounge

15.45 – 17.00

“Leveraging the Potential for Trade to Improve Food and Nutrition Security in a Sustainable Manner” WATCH HERE
Session co-organised by WFO and US Dairy Export Council (USDEC)
The farmers will set the agenda for a discussion involving the WTO, government representatives, the private sector and trade experts discussing the main challenges facing the global trading system and the improvements needed to ensure trade can effectively support the transition towards more sustainable food systems with farmers at their core.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

15.45 – 17.00

“Leveraging the Potential for Trade to Improve Food and Nutrition Security in a Sustainable Manner” WATCH HERE
Session co-organised by WFO and US Dairy Export Council (USDEC)
The farmers will set the agenda for a discussion involving the WTO, government representatives, the private sector and trade experts discussing the main challenges facing the global trading system and the improvements needed to ensure trade can effectively support the transition towards more sustainable food systems with farmers at their core.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

17.00 – 17.30

“From COP28 to COP30: Integrating agriculture and food systems into Climate Action” WATCH HERE
This panel discussion will explore the role farmers are expected to play in implementing the merged food systems and climate agenda. Key questions include resolving the current negotiation impasse and ensuring that farmers’ voices and needs are adequately represented in future climate policies.
READ MORE

FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

17.30 – 17.45

High-level Session Closing WATCH HERE
Speaker: Dr David Nabarro, Strategic Director, 4SD Foundation
FAO HQ, Building A, 1^st Floor, Green Room

17.50 – 18.30

WFO General Assembly – Internal Affairs Session Closure
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

18.30 – 19.30

WFO President’s Closing Remarks
FAO HQ, Building A, 1st Floor, Green Room

08.00 – 17.00

Farm Visits

• Maccarese SpA (https://www.maccaresespa.com/)
  Viale Maria 423, 00054 Maccarese, Fiumicino (Rome)
• GreenItaly (https://mygreenitaly.com/)
  Viale di Porto 904, 00054 Fiumicino (Rome)