World Food Forum at the European Economic and Social Committee

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a public hearing on the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027 under the title “Promoting autonomous and sustainable food production: strategies for the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027". 

FAO’s Kazuki Kitaoka, the Global Coordinator of the World Food Forum (WFF) participated in a session that addressed “The Future of the Common Agricultural Policy in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development".  

The WFF is a global network of youth-led and youth-focused partners dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges facing our global agrifood systems to achieve a better food future for all. 

Kitaoka highlighted the need for a profound and systemic transformation of agrifood systems with the potential to improve economic, social and environmental conditions for all while also stressing the importance of youth in driving agrifood systems transformation. ‘’This transformation will require investing in youth, leveraging their power to influence policies, transform behaviors, accelerate technology and innovation, and guide investment priorities", he said.

The Global Coordinator presented the work of the WFF as a unique platform to engage youth and foster innovative solutions for a better food future.  

The meeting also featured speakers from COPA-COGECA, the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), the European Coordination Via Campesina, the World Wildlife Fund, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, Rural Youth Europe, and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft e.V.