Latin America and the Caribbean participates in the World Food Forum 2026
Rome – Hybrid event, 8–16 October 2026
.tmb-21by9wide .jpg?sfvrsn=7461c08f_1 "Banner WFF 2026")
Introduction
From 8 to 16 October, Latin America and the Caribbean will participate in the World Food Forum 2026, in Rome and virtually. Under the theme “Innovate Today to Nourish Tomorrow,” the region will share investment proposals, experiences and knowledge to advance towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The regional agenda will bring together governments, youth, producers, academic institutions, Indigenous Peoples, development partners and the private sector. Activities will explore concrete opportunities to strengthen production, generate rural employment, add value and expand access to markets through investment, science, innovation and partnerships.
The agenda begins from 8 to 12 October with the regional pavilion at the “From Seeds to Foods” exhibition at Circo Massimo, inviting visitors to discover how agroforestry systems connect territories, communities and ecosystems “from watershed to sea.”
At the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum, nine countries will present their national investment plans, alongside regional proposals for the Amazon and the SICA Dry Corridor and Arid Zones.
The region’s participation will also include spaces for youth leadership and entrepreneurship, scientific exchange, academic cooperation, and dialogue on water and Indigenous Peoples’ food systems.
Explore the Latin America and the Caribbean agenda, discover its investment opportunities, and find news, videos and links to follow the region’s participation.
FAO Global Exhibition | Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Pavilion | FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (only in Spanish)
Contacts
Regional Pavilion at the “From Seeds to Foods” Exhibition
World Food Forum
Video
-(1).tmb-21by9wide .jpg?Culture=es&sfvrsn=41f06a17_1 "UF1CHHC S2F_Generic Banner_Red_EN (1) (1)")
Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum
four-key-pillars
Opening Ceremony
12 October | 10:00–12:30 (UTC+2) | Plenary Hall
Participation of René Orellana Halkyer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, and María José Pinto, Vice President of Ecuador. Launch of the Youth Chapters in Brazil, Mexico, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Youth Leadership in FAO Regional Conferences: Driving Impact in 2026–2028
13 October | 14:00–15:30 (UTC+2) | YA01
Participation of Pablo Rabczuk, Senior Programme Officer for FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Valentina Morales, Rural Development Specialist.
Youth Food Lab: Cultivating Entrepreneurship
14 October | 17:30–18:30 | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Participation of the Regional Youth Food Lab, Peru and Universidad Mayor of Chile.
World Schools Assembly of the World Food Forum
13 October | 10:00–11:30 (UTC+2) | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Second Anniversary of the Four Betters Courses
13 October | 10:00–11:30 (UTC+2) | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Generational Renewal + World Food Forum Film Festival
13 October | 16:30–19:00 (UTC+2) | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Participation of Chile
Partnerships and Knowledge for Agrifood Transformation in Latin America
15 October | 17:45–18:45 (UTC+2) | GS15
Financial inclusion for youth: towards more inclusive agrifood systems (only in spanish)
October | 17:00–18:00 (UTC+2) | Virtual | YD08
Opening Ceremony
13 October | 14:00–15:30 (UTC+2) | Plenary Hall
Participation of Cuba
Participation of Cuba’s Minister of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), Armando Rodríguez Batista.
Global Dialogue on Water Tenure
14 October | 9:00–12:00 (UTC+2) | Plenary Hall
Participation of René Orellana Halkyer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Lost in Translation? Strengthening Science–Policy Interfaces for Evidence-Informed Decision-Making
14 October | 08:30–10:00 (UTC+2) | ST01
Participation of Cuba
News
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=f7b8a8ad_2 "UF1COGW WFD26_virtual background_ES (1)")
Chefs and influencers join World Food Day commemoration
14/10/2026
Leading figures from the culinary world and content creators across Latin America and the Caribbean join FAO’s campaign to raise awareness of the importance of healthy, diverse and sustainable diets.
.tmb-th600x400.jpeg?sfvrsn=4af98838_2 "img")
FAO and ACTO present USD 29.3 million investment program to promote an Amazonian Bioeconomy
14/10/2026
The proposal, presented at the 2026 Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum, aims to develop digital ecosystems and implement traceability technology across the eight countries of the Amazon region.
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=df3afa45_2 "img")
Latin America and the Caribbean presents $2.292 billion in agrifood investment opportunities at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum
14/10/2026
Proposals from nine countries and two subregional initiatives aim to strengthen agrifood systems, stimulate rural economies, and create better opportunities across territories.
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=8a5ed879_2 "img")
FAO promotes more equitable water governance for food security at Rome Water Dialogue
14/10/2026
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Rene Orellana Halkyer, moderated panels featuring government officials, representatives of international organizations and financial institutions to discuss water access, investment and water governance.
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=d2154f89_2 "img")
Latin American and Caribbean leaders highlight progress and challenges in eradicating hunger at the World Food Forum 2026
14/10/2026
Representatives from five countries in the region shared experiences, public policies and commitments to strengthen food security, promote agricultural innovation and accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.
.tmb-th600x400.png?sfvrsn=1dac839e_2 "img")
.tmb-th600x400.jpeg?sfvrsn=f60873f3_2 "img")
FAO calls for stronger youth leadership in agrifood transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean
12/10/2026
At the opening of the Global Youth Forum in Rome, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Rene Orellana Halkyer highlighted young people’s creativity and capacity to innovate, become entrepreneurs and develop solutions.