The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Liaison Office in Geneva (FAOLOG), in collaboration with the Federal Office for Agriculture of Switzerland (FOAG) and Agroscope, marked World Food Day 2026 at the Palais des Nations by bringing together diplomatic representatives, international organizations, academics, researchers, farmers and youth to explore how science and innovation can help address global agrifood challenges.

Week-long event at FAO spotlights Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and science

The session was organized by the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) as part of the World Food Forum’s Global Youth Action Initiative Decentralized Forum Events 2026, reflecting the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” 

More than 300 exhibitors from over 140 countries showcase five days of agrifood innovation, from farm technology to new food solutions

More than 45 million people face severe hunger across Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Yemen

From 7 September to 7 October 2026, the United Nations Human Rights Council convened its 63rd session. FAO contributed to the session through its Liaison Office in Geneva, working in close coordination with relevant technical divisions and offices to ensure that the Organization’s contributions in its areas of expertise were reflected in the Council’s deliberations. 

Qu Dongyu urged more linkages for land-locked countries at high-level Forum

Hotspots identified in the Tasman Sea, southern Indian Ocean and southeast Atlantic

FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP) convened a joint informal briefing on boosting preparedness and anticipatory action in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), highlighting the need to act ahead of increasingly frequent climate shocks and the anticipated impacts of El Niño. Bringing together experiences from the Caribbean and Pacific, the session underscored the importance of strong national preparedness systems, pre-arranged financing, localized risk information and indigenous and local knowledge to protect livelihoods and agrifood systems and strengthen long-term resilience.  

On 6 October 2026, FAO participated in the Steering Committee meeting of the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (Migration MPTF) at IOM headquarters in Geneva, contributing to discussions on the Fund’s priorities and strategic direction following the 2026 International Migration Review Forum. Dominique Burgeon, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva (LOG) and, Jacqueline Demeranville of FAO’s Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) joined to advocate for FAO’s priorities on migration, agriculture, rural livelihoods and climate change, and to provide technical expertise to the discussions. 

As artificial intelligence transforms economies, societies and essential services, leaders from governments, international organizations, academia, youth networks and faith-based institutions gathered on 5 October in Geneva, at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other International Organizations, for a high-level dialogue on "Human-Centered AI for Agrifood Systems: From Ethics to Implementation."

FAO’s Call to Action on Dryland Forests emphasizes that proven solutions for reviving drylands already exist, and the priority is to create the conditions to implement them at scale

Trade disruptions contributed to higher cereal quotations, while adverse weather weighs on sugar production prospects

FAO and partners highlight coffee’s role in supporting livelihoods, sustainable agrifood systems and trade, while celebrating its cultural significance and recognizing the essential role of women

Under the theme “Celebrating Coffee, Honouring the People Behind Every Cup,” the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, together with the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Türkiye to the United Nations in Geneva, marked the inaugural International Coffee Day observance, bringing together representatives from governments, international organizations and the coffee sector to explore coffee’s economic, social, environmental and cultural significance.

Throughout September 2026, FAO contributed to a series of trade-related discussions in Geneva, highlighting the implications of trade and market developments for food security, agrifood systems and sustainable fisheries governance.

In this interview, FAO Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina discusses the FAO Villages Recognition Initiative and its role in recognizing the vital contribution of rural communities to sustainable agrifood systems.

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2026: New FAO interactive illustrates estimated losses worldwide

New reports spotlight forests’ role in food security and global restoration efforts

State of the World's Forests 2026 report identifies restoration as a high-impact investment that benefits people, agrifood systems and the environment