“World Food Day is not only about food, but also about human dignity” (Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General)

To mark World Food Day and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a week-long series of global events is being held at FAO headquarters in Rome under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The events take place within the framework of the World Food Forum (WFF) from 10 to 17 October.

This year’s Forum is of special historical significance as it coincides with FAO’s 80th anniversary – celebrating eight decades of leadership in combating hunger, advancing food security and nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development.

The week-long Forum brings together 10 Heads of State and Government, 115 Ministers and Vice-Ministers, and more than 25,000 participants from governments, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, research institutions, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders.

The Forum serves as a global platform uniting humanity’s efforts for healthy diets, sustainable production, and environmental protection – bringing together youth, scientists, investors, and policymakers around one shared goal: building sustainable agrifood systems.

In his statement, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said: “Food is the source of life, an expression of culture, and a fundamental human right. For 80 years, FAO has worked side by side with nations, farmers, youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, and entrepreneurs – all united by one belief: that food can be the foundation of peace, dignity, and shared prosperity”.

He noted that 673 million people (8.2 percent of the global population) still suffer from hunger, 2.3 billion lack food security, and 2.6 billion cannot afford a healthy diet.

“To overcome hunger and poverty, we must act together – turning women, youth, local communities, and smallholder farmers into the heroes of change. Let us proudly recall our 80 years of achievement and dedicate the next 80 to building a world filled with food, dignity, and hope. Let us make the fight against hunger a shared heritage of humanity – for the sake of human dignity”, he emphasized.

Uzbekistan’s Cultural Contribution to the FAO Museum

As part of FAO’s 80th anniversary, the newly established Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (FAO MuNe) was inaugurated. Uzbekistan contributed two unique exhibits representing its rich agricultural and cultural heritage – a traditional Uzbek tandir oven and a collection of silk fabrics: atlas and adras.

The handmade tandir symbolizes Uzbek hospitality, abundance, and food security, reflecting the deep connection between people, land, and life. Displayed alongside it, the atlas and adras silk fabrics showcase centuries-old Uzbek silk-making traditions. The collection is presented in a mulberry-wood basket adorned with silk cocoons, symbolizing the natural cycle “from mulberry tree to fabric”.

“These exhibits embody the harmony between the land, agricultural labor, and culture”, noted Sherzod Umarov, Deputy FAO Representative in Uzbekistan. “The soil gives grain from which bread is baked in the tandir, and nourishes mulberry trees whose leaves become the source of silk. This is a vivid expression of the interconnection between nature, people, and traditions on which a sustainable future is built”.

FAO’s 80th Anniversary – “Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, Healthy Future”

FAO celebrates its 80th anniversary under the motto “Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, Healthy Future”, reminding the world of the importance of protecting soils and using natural resources wisely.

Since 2001, Uzbekistan has cooperated with FAO in promoting sustainable agricultural development, food security, and climate-smart agriculture.
The country has also advanced the initiative to include its sericulture system in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) list.

About the World Food Forum 2025

The World Food Forum (WFF) is FAO’s global initiative uniting youth, scientists, investors, and policymakers to transform agrifood systems through innovation, investment, and partnership. The Forum consists of three main tracks:

• Global Youth Action Forum – youth innovation initiatives;
• Science and Innovation Forum – solutions through science and technology;
• Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum – investment and partnership initiatives.

The week’s programme includes high-level dialogues, innovation labs, and cultural exhibitions, including the global showcase “From Seeds to Foods”.

UzA