FAO celebrates 80 years with landmark events attended by global leaders in Rome

Rome - FAO turned 80 in 2025. To mark this milestone, Director-General QU Dongyu organized a series of events and welcomed Pope Leo XIV and several global leaders at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome during the World Food Forum and World Food Day. The celebrations included the inauguration of the Food and Agriculture Museum & Network (FAO MuNe), reaffirming FAO’s enduring mission to end hunger and build more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems across the globe.  

An innovative, high-level World Food Forum

FAO’s 80th anniversary was officially commemorated on October 16^th (World Food Day), but the celebrations began a week earlier with the opening of the first public Global Exhibition: From Seeds to Foods as part of World Food Forum 2025. Over three days (10-13 October), this open exhibition at Park of Porta Capena in the heart of Rome attracted more than 7,000 visitors, showcasing the journey of food from seed to table and celebrating the diversity of crops, traditions, and innovations that nourish the world.

On 13 October, the World Food Forum flagship event kicked off at FAO’s headquarters under the theme Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future. The opening ceremony was attended by several global leaders, including the King Letsie III of Lesotho, FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition; Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil; Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim Government of Bangladesh; Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan; FAO Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Near East and North Africa; Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister of Djibouti; and Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini.

Throughout the week-long event, the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, also visited FAO headquarters and opened the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, one of WFF’s three pillars. WFF 2025, celebrating FAO’s 80 anniversary, was attended by more than 50 ministers and 100 vice-ministers from all regions of the globe.

“For eight decades, FAO has worked side by side with nations, farmers, youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, scientists and entrepreneurs – all united by one belief: that food can be the foundation of peace, dignity, and shared prosperity,” the FAO Director-General highlighted.

Historic World Food Day and FAO’s new museum

The highlight of the celebrations, of course, was on 16 October, World Food Day, when FAO was established 80 years ago. This historic day began with the inauguration of the Food and Agriculture Museum & Network (FAO MuNe) by the Director-General and the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.

MuNe presents an exciting new experience in Rome that invites audiences to explore the relationship between food, agriculture and humanity while discovering 80 years of FAO’s work. Open to the public and housed at FAO’s headquarters, the museum serves as a dynamic educational platform that brings together agricultural heritage and traditions with science and innovation. Through an informative, interactive and immersive experience, it is designed to make complex ideas accessible to all.

MuNe’s inauguration was followed by a landmark global event to commemorate World Food Day and FAO’s 80th anniversary. The celebration brought together prominent figures, including His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alongside other international leaders and dignitaries. President Xi Jinping of China sent a congratulatory message – delivered by Han Jun, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China – commending FAO on its remarkable achievements over the past 80 years.

In his keynote address, Pope Leo XIV underscored his deep commitment to peace and global food security.

“Eighty years after the establishment of FAO, our conscience must once again challenge us in the face of the ever-present scourge of hunger and malnutrition,” the Pope said. “In this regard, I consider it a true success that World Food Day is being celebrated this year under the theme Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future. At a historical moment marked by deep divisions and contradictions, feeling united by the bond of collaboration is not only a beautiful ideal, but a resolute call to action.”

Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of food and agriculture in addressing today’s challenges.

“Your presence here today is a true reflection that hunger knows no borders, and that the challenge of food security demands unity among nations,” he said. “The world’s leaders and people everywhere must come together united by our collective belief that the right to food is a basic human right, and that peace is a prerequisite for food security.”

Representing FAO’s host country alongside Prime Minister Meloni, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Collaboration, Antonio Tajani, said hosting such an important institution as FAO represented an honor for Italy.

Other speakers included King Letsie III of Lesotho, Queen Letizia of Spain, Uruguay President Yamandú Orsi Martínez, and the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a video message in which he lamented the weaponization of hunger. 

An inclusive World Food Day

As part of the World Food Day celebrations, the event Foods Futures: Conversations for a Better World brought together scientists, economists, policymakers, chefs, youth representatives and FAO’s senior managers, among others for a fast-paced and interactive discussion centered around the transformation of global agrifood systems through the lens of FAO's Four Betters.

The traditional Junior World Food Day celebration featured players from Italy’s national rugby team, activists and influencers, alongside Italian celebrity chef Alessandro Borghese and global actress Monique Coleman, as well as around 1,000 young students aged 9 to 13.

Additionally, the Italian postal service and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy unveiled a commemorative stamp honoring FAO’s 80th anniversary, celebrating the Organization’s longstanding partnership with Italy.