High-level event on the implementation of the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative
Plenary Hall, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy
Hybrid Event, 15/10/2025
In celebration of FAO’s 80th anniversary and as part of the 5th World Food Forum, this high-level event will spotlight the transformative power of the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative.
Since its launch in 2021, the OCOP initiative has garnered global attention, with over 95 Member Nations committing to the sustainable development of 56 unique agricultural products spanning crops, horticulture, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. Led by FAO, OCOP has made significant strides worldwide, serving as a catalyst and model for the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. By promoting the principle of producing MORE with LESS - for the four BETTERS (better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life), the initiative is driving tangible progress toward resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.
Join us at this event to learn how 18 demonstration countries from different regions are leading the way in promoting these special agricultural products that nourish communities, empower farmers and help protect our planet. Hear from high-level decision makers and representatives from regional bodies, research and educational institutions, and the private sector as they share their experiences, lessons learned, insights and recommendations.
This event will be an opportunity to reinforce the implementation of the OCOP Initiative, further the dialogue and foster technical partnerships, thereby accelerating progress toward resilient and inclusive agrifood systems worldwide.
Event highlights
Date: 15 October 2025
Time: 08:30 – 11:00 (CEST)
Venue: Plenary Hall, FAO Headquarters, Rome
Register now!
Important notes for registration: For both in-person or virtual participation, please register for the World Food Forum via this LINK . Select Other high-level sessions as the Primary area of interest during registration to attend this OCOP high-level event. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any assistance.
AGENDA
| Technical Session | ||
|---|---|---|
Time | Item | Presenter |
Moderator: Jingyuan Xia, Adviser to the FAO Director-General, Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat, FAO | ||
08.30–08.40 | Progress on OCOP Implementation Worldwide | Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP); Deputy Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat, FAO |
08.40–09.20 | Stakeholders’ Perspectives on the Implementation of OCOP Initiative (Insights, Engagement, Lessons-learned and Suggestions) | |
08.40–08.50 | Perspective of research and academia | Chuang Liu, Chief Scientist, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR-CAS); Vice-Chair of OCOP Regional Organization Group in Asia and the Pacific |
08.50–09.00 | Perspective of education and extension | Pathmanathan Umaharan, Professor and Director, Cocoa Research Centre of the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago (Recorded video presentation) |
09.00–09.10 | Perspective of marketing and trade | Nguyen Minh Tien, Director of Viet Nam Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture, Vietnam |
09.10–09.20 | Perspective of farmers | Khaled El-Haggan, Date Palm Farm Manager, Egypt |
09.20–09.40 | Discussion | All panellists |
09.40–09.45 | Summary of the Session | Hafiz Muminjanov, Technical Adviser, NSP; OCOP Global Coordinator of the OCOP Secretariat, FAO
|
| Ministerial Segment | ||
| Time | Item | Presenter |
Moderator: Ms Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General, FAO | ||
09.45–09.55 | Opening Remarks | QU Dongyu, |
09.55–10.05 | High-level Statement | His Majesty King Letsie III, King of Lesotho |
10.05–10.10 | Video on OCOP initiative | |
10.10-10.50 | Keynote Addresses on Progress, Achievements, Impact and Perspectives of the Implementation of the OCOP Initiative in Countries | |
10.10–10.20 | Albania | His Excellency Andis Salla, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (Recorded video address) |
10.20–10.30 | Algeria | His Excellency Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries |
10.30–10.40 | Bangladesh | His Excellency Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.), the Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture |
10.40–10.50 | Mexico | Rubén Irvin Rojas Valdés, General Coordinator of Information, Intelligence and Evaluation of the Secretariat of Agriculture |
10.50–11.00 | Concluding Remarks | Beth Bechdol, |
Practical Information
- Interpretation will be provided in FAO’s six official languages.
- The webcast will be available HERE.