Youth Forum for the Transformation of Agri-food Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean

Live broadcast - Day 1

Live broadcast - Day 2

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes the central role that young people play in transforming agri-food systems and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its 2022-2031 strategic framework, FAO has determined that young people are a group whose needs must be addressed across all areas of the organization's work. To guide and orient this work, FAO has developed the Rural Youth Action Plan, with collaboration of Member States, development partners and youth organizations.

Young people are a strategic driver for innovation, generational renewal, and the sustainability of agri-food systems. They are in a unique position to revitalize the sector, acquire the necessary skills, promote the adoption of new technologies and lead the digital transformation.

However, they face structural barriers that restrict their access to productive resources, decent employment, financing, education and opportunities to participate in decision-making. Overcoming these gaps is essential to ensuring food security, boosting rural economies, and strengthening communities' resilience to challenges such as climate change, migration and economic and social crises.

The integration of young people into sustainable development processes is therefore a crucial step in the process of achieving the SDGs set out in the 2030 Agenda and laying the foundations for more equal societies.

In this context, and within the framework of FAO's 80th anniversary, it is proposed that the “Youth Forum for the Transformation of Agri-Food Systems” be held on January 26 and 27, 2026, in Brasilia, Brazil.

The Forum will bring together young people from across the region with the aim of creating a space for dialogue, capacity building and knowledge acquisition, geared toward empowering them and strengthening their networks. As a result, young people will draft a Regional Declaration, which will include their proposals and demands, and which will serve as a key tool for bringing their voices and priorities to the 39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC39), as well as to other decision-making spaces on agrifood systems.

General Objective

The “Youth Forum for the Transformation of Agri-Food Systems” seeks to consolidate a regional space for meeting and collective construction that allows young people in Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen their capacities, expand their knowledge, generate collaborative network and agree on joint proposals aimed at transforming the region's agri-food systems.

The specific objectives of this dialogue are:

• To strengthen youth networks in the region, promoting the exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and good practices among organizations from different countries and subregions.
• To foster collaboration among youth organizations in the region to consolidate a more coordinated regional voice on agri-food systems.
• To provide communication and debate tools to young participants that strengthen their advocacy capacities in national, regional, and global governance spaces.
• To identify, in a participatory manner, the main issues and priorities of young people in relation to agri-food systems.
• To highlight the leadership and proposals of the new generations in building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems.

To achieve these goals, the Forum will be structured around two complementary days. The first day will be dedicated to youth capacity building, through workshops, interactive panels, learning activities and opportunities to share experiences, with the aim of helping young participants strengthen their leadership, communication and advocacy skills, while also consolidating cooperative ties between their organizations and networks.

The second day will be focused on the Preparatory Youth Dialogue, where participants will collectively deliberate on their priorities and proposals, culminating in the drafting of a Regional Youth Declaration. This document will reflect the visions and demands of the younger generations and will serve as a key tool prior to the Civil Society Consultation within the framework of the 39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC39), as well as other decision-making spaces related to agrifood systems.

LARC39 Youth Preparatory Dialogue

The FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC) is the Organization's main governing body in the region. It serves as a forum where ministers of state and senior officials from the 33 member countries meet to discuss key challenges and priorities in food and agriculture, promoting regional coherence on global policy issues.

The Conference plays a key role in ensuring the effectiveness of FAO's work in support of its Member States and in defining priority areas for action for each biennium. In March 2026, the 39th edition of the LARC will be held in Brazil, where the priorities that will guide the Organization's work during the 2026–2027 biennium will be discussed and agreed upon.

Civil Society Consultation

Prior to the Conference and as part of its preparatory process, a consultation with civil society is held, the purpose of which is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and allow organizations to express their perspectives and contributions in the areas of work of the FAO.

In this space, organizations representing family farmers, rural communities, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, fishers, and consumers from across the region share their experiences, data, and knowledge in a transparent manner, providing information on the needs and realities of their sectors.

The outcome of this process is reflected in a joint statement, which reflects the position of civil society and is presented to Member States during the 39th FAO Regional Conference.

In this context, FAO recognizes the importance of ensuring that the voices of young people are fully incorporated into these processes. Therefore, within the framework of the 39th Regional Conference, it is proposed to hold a consultation and specific dialogue with young people from across the region.

LARC39 Youth Preparatory Dialogue

As part of its 80th anniversary celebrations, FAO is placing special emphasis on highlighting the needs and proposals of the younger generations, who are already leading, and will continue to lead, the transformations needed to build more sustainable, fair, and resilient agri-food systems.

To this end, it proposes to hold a consultation focused on young people, combining online and face-to-face modalities, inviting young people from across the region to engage in dialogue. This space will provide an opportunity to learn about their proposals and experiences in relation to food and agriculture, the results of which will serve as key input for the consultation with civil society and for the drafting of the final declaration.

For the first time in the region, a dialogue focused on young people will be held with the aim of listening to their concerns and interests as key actors in the transformation of agri-food systems.

The overall objective of this dialogue is to draft a declaration on agri-food systems that reflects the issues of interest identified by young people in the region. This document will be the main outcome of the meeting and will be presented at the LARC39 civil society consultation, contributing the vision and proposals of the younger generations. In addition, the declaration may serve as strategic input in other governance spaces linked to the transformation of agri-food systems.