Building Stronger Alliances: FAO and ATAC transform Circo Massimo metro station into a sustainable hub for food and agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and ATAC S.p.A., Rome’s public transport company, has teamed up to revamp the Circo Massimo metro station into a vibrant cultural and educational space dedicated to art, culture, sustainability, food security, and responsible consumption.

The initiative is a joint effort by FAO and ATAC S.p.A., supported by the Municipality of Rome and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). It builds on FAO’s longstanding cooperation with the Municipality of Rome, which includes initiatives such as the G20 Green Garden at Appia Antica Regional Park and the Global Library of Flowers and Trees – FAO Park at Villa Doria Pamphilj.

On Saturday, 28 June 2025, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu unveiled the initiative during a public ceremony held at the Circo Massimo metro station – the same day that the Forty-fourth Session of the FAO Conference commenced.  

The event was made possible through a newly signed Implementation Agreement* framework for cooperation and coordination of joint activities. This collaboration was the result of joint efforts of FAO’s Office of Communications (OCC) and FAO’s Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), whose coordination ensured the timely implementation of this high-impact initiative. Notably, FAO's Private Sector Partnerships Unit (PSUS), successfully facilitated the engagement process between FAO–ATAC that culminated into a formal partnership. 

This partnership plays a key role in the transformation of the atrium of the Circo Massimo metro station, marking the beginning of an innovative outreach campaign to introduce the upcoming FAO Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (MuNe), which will officially open on 16 October 2025, coinciding with the World Food Day.

This milestone arrives at a symbolic time when FAO celebrates its 80th Anniversary, and as Rome welcomes millions of visitors for the 2025 Jubilee. Against this backdrop, FAO and ATAC have joined forces to turn one of the capital’s busiest transit hubs into a dynamic platform for public engagement.

The metro station now functions as a living exhibition, using art, culture, and multimedia to spotlight the global challenges and solutions related to food systems, sustainable cities, and climate action. The initiative aligns with FAO’s broader strategy to enhance visibility and foster public engagement through accessible, inclusive, and sustainable urban platforms, while advancing long-term solutions by strengthening engagement with the private sector in support of key global priorities set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Together, FAO and ATAC are reinforcing Rome’s identity as a global capital for food and agriculture, while amplifying the urgent need for sustainable transformation across food systems worldwide.

Additional information on this milestone can be accessed via the following link: Rome’s Circo Massimo Metro Station becomes “Circo Massimo – FAO” to mark the Organization’s 80th Anniversary.

*The Implementation Agreement between FAO and ATAC S.p.A. entered into force on 29 May 2025 and is valid for one year. The agreement does not involve any transfer of resources.