Treaty Youth Talk About the Seeds that Feed the World

FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy, 14 and 17 October 2025 – The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture took centre stage at this year's World Food Forum Flagship event, also commemorating the 80th anniversary of FAO, hosted at the FAO headquarters. Youth speakers spoke to visitors about the importance of seeds and agrobiodiversity in ensuring a sustainable future.

Two side events were organized by the International Treaty during the World Food Forum this year. The first event was in the “Culture Corner” and included an interactive presentation from the Treaty's youth team and visiting youth representatives, Julia Ruth Mamani Condori from AGUAPAN- JORA Peru, and Selina Hess from the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture. The second event consisted of a hands-on "Discovery Station” which brought together high-school students from around Rome.  The Station helped to raise awareness about the importance of seed conservation and empower them to adopt and promote sustainable behaviors.

“We, the sons and daughters of the guardians (of potatoes), have grown up planting, harvesting and learning from our parents and grandparents,” said Peruvian indigenous youth farmer and leader, Julia Ruth Mamoni Candori, as she explained the deep connection between her community and their traditions and land. “At this World Food Forum, I raise my voice for all of us who cultivate, protect, conserve, and feed the world [...] to speak about what concerns us and to defend the rights of our parents, the protection of the environment, and the conservation of native seeds,” she said.

“In the face of uncertainty and changing environments, diversity is our strength – not only biodiversity, but also ecological, cultural, generational and gender diversity,” said Selina Hess, Swiss youth representative from the Federal Office for Agriculture, who emphasized the shared responsibility of all generations and cultures in building resilient food systems. “From the seeds we sow to the people who grow and share food, every variety and every actor matters,” she added.

In line with the World Food Forum's theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” both Treaty events highlighted the role of youth in driving innovation and community-based solutions to support sustainable food systems and climate resilience, particularly in the context of climate change.

During the “Culture Corner” event, visitors were able to take a virtual reality tour of the renowned Svalbard Global Seed Vault, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the Seed Vault’s critical role in providing a secure back-up of plant genetic diversity for the future. Participants also had the chance to play the Treaty’s interactive video game “Super Crops” which highlights the importance of underutilized global crops in addressing food insecurity, protecting crop diversity and supporting sustainable agriculture.

The International Treaty is committed to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and protecting Farmers’ Rights around the world to conserve, use and exchange agricultural biodiversity for present and future generations.

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#ItAllStartsWithTheSeed