FAO-Rome Campaign for Education in Schools “Celebrating 80 Years of FAO and the role of international organizations based in Rome” Statement

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues and Friends,  

I am so honoured to be here today to mark an important moment of celebration and collaboration between FAO and our host city, Rome.

Rome has a long history of supporting global food security and nutrition, and FAO is proud to call Rome home since 1951.

The “Eternal City” has become a global capital of multilateralism, thanks to all our joint efforts.

This role is especially critical now and will continue to be critical in the future.

Dear Friends from the Comune di Roma and Colleagues from the other international organizations based in Rome,

Every year, as we celebrate World Food Day on 16 October, we also mark FAO’s anniversary.

This year, our joint work will contribute to making FAO’s 80th Anniversary an historic and memorable occasion. 

Over the past few years, we have strengthened our collaboration and worked together on many important initiatives, during which we have called out to all people living in Rome, and beyond, to be part of the transformation and contribute collectively towards building a more sustainable city.

At FAO, we always seek opportunities to further engage with the local community that hosts us so warmly.

In particular, FAO and Rome have been working closely together to create new, educational and green spaces for its citizens and visitors. These initiatives celebrate Rome's rich food traditions, agriculture, green spaces, and food markets.

They also provide valuable educational opportunities for all, especially students, promoting an awareness of sustainability.

This is key as we move forward in our efforts to cultivate a better foods-secure future for all.

Today, we renew our joint commitment to achieving food security and strengthen our bond with a special new initiative "Together for Food Education in Rome's Schools", as part of FAO's 80th anniversary celebrations.

I would like to thank His Excellency Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, and his team for their continued support in bringing to life such an important initiative.

Through education, we can inspire the next generation. This is more than a campaign. It is a journey that will enable us to explore important themes such as healthy diets, food safety, and food waste.

The initiative consists of youth-focused learning products that will help students explore important global topics related to agrifood systems.

I also take this opportunity to invite students and teachers to participate in the free guided tours offered to all primary and secondary schools at FAO headquarters.

These visits offer a unique opportunity to explore FAO’s history and mandate and learn more about its commitment towards the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life – leaving no one behind.

And today, I am pleased to announce that starting from World Food Day on 16 October this year, schools in Rome will be welcomed at our headquarters for guided tours of the Food and Agriculture Museum and Network – which will also be accessible online through a dedicated app.

This initiative is made possible thanks to the support by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with Rome as the host city –a truly shared commitment to advancing global food security.

The museum will provide a space where FAO can engage the public through the universal language of food art and food culture.

By connecting best practices, the museum and network will demonstrate how agrifood systems can drive sustainable development.

On Saturday 28 June, we will also inaugurate the renovated Circo Massimo metro station as a cultural space where agriculture, art, and sustainability meet.

This transformation is a reflection of our collaboration and a tribute to colleagues, citizens and visitors who transit near FAO headquarters every day.

It also reflects Rome’s vision for a more connected and inclusive city, turning a daily commute into a moment of connection with global agriculture. 

Dear Friends,

As we mark FAO’s 80th anniversary, we celebrate the past and look forward to the future.

Together, we are planting the seeds of change for a better future for all – for people, planet and prosperity.

Thank you – Grazie!