WORLD FOOD FORUM 2025 Inauguration of the Food and Agriculture Museum and Network Opening Remarks

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Excellencies,

Today is a special day, it is an historic day as it marks FAO's 80th anniversary - a chance to look back at eight decades of work and growth, and to look forward with renewed determination to build a sustainable, foods-secure future for all.

Working Better Together!

We are so proud to inaugurate the Food and Agriculture Museum and Network.

It is a new way to share FAO’s mandate with the world through knowledge, culture, and innovation, connecting and inspiring a global audience and visitors.

I am especially honoured to be joined by His Excellency President Mattarella of Italy – a true, close and respected leader and friend to FAO and to FAO’s mission - FAO’s generous host country, to inaugurate this educational space.

FAO and Italy share a long and special relationship.

One that has hosted FAO in Rome since 1951 and has made Italy a steadfast partner in achieving food security and rural development.

On 8 October 2024, FAO had the honour of being received by President Mattarella – for the first time in history - in his palace to present the museum project.

And I conveyed my personal invitation to the Honourable President and on that occasion, President Mattarella expressed his appreciation and kindly promised to attend today’s inauguration — a promise that we are deeply appreciative to see fulfilled.

Through the new, dynamic energy of all FAO staff and workers, it was possible to realize this important project on time for today, 16 October 2025 – World Food Day.

Honourable President Mattarella, thank you for your positive attitude towards our mandate and this project, which makes us very proud and happy. Thank you so much!

Bringing a project on this scale to life requires strong collaboration, sound coordination and hard work on the ground.

I wish to thank His Excellency Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy,

Together with His Excellency Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, for their leadership,

As well as His Excellency Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry,

And His Excellency Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, for their continued support to our joint work.

The newly renamed Circo Maximo/FAO subway leads the way to FAO and is a historic reflection of the host country’s commitment to FAO.

A dedicated FAO-Italy Room inside the FAO Museum allows visitors to explore and learn about the wide range of projects Italy has undertaken, and continues to support, in partnership with FAO.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Through the Museum and Network, FAO connects and inspires communities, with Members, partners, and youth, as well as traditional villages and Indigenous Peoples communities, while showcasing an international collection of symbolic objects celebrating diverse food and agriculture traditions. Together with advancements, innovations and achievements.

Here today, I am pleased to welcome our first Network member, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).

We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration.

As the Network expands, it will amplify the Museum’s message, linking local experiences with global knowledge and creating new opportunities for dialogue, partnerships, and learning.

I would like to sincerely thank all those involved for their dedication, creativity, and hard work.

This Museum as a new meeting point in hybrid model - to reach all corners of the world, all the villages around the globe - is a testament to working Better Together.

FAO will be more accessible and interactive with global visitors.

Food security, food diversity, food culture will be more highly recognized by the public.

Through this Museum we will move out of our castle and be accessible to the whole world – and make FAO, and Rome, a true hub of food knowledge and culture.

Thank you – Grazie!