FAO Celebrates 80th Anniversary at the World Food Forum: From Traditions to a Sustainable Future

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, a week of global events is being held to mark World Food Day and the 80th anniversary of the organization.

The central theme of the anniversary events is “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”

FAO: Eight Decades of Leadership in the Fight Against Hunger

This year, the World Food Forum (WFF) carries special significance, bringing together the international community at a critical moment when food security and climate change demand consolidated global action.

For eighty years, FAO has played a key role in eradicating hunger, improving nutrition, developing sustainable agriculture, and supporting farmers worldwide.

The forum is attended by heads of state, ministers, representatives of the private sector, academia, and civil society—more than 25,000 delegates from 150 countries. It serves as a global platform for knowledge exchange and the introduction of innovations in food and agriculture.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasized in his speech that food security is not merely a matter of access to food, but a question of human dignity:

“Food is a source of life, an expression of culture, and an inalienable human right. For 80 years, FAO has worked side by side with governments, farmers, youth, women, and indigenous peoples to ensure that food becomes the foundation of peace, dignity, and well-being.”

According to FAO, currently 673 million people (8.2% of the global population) suffer from hunger, while more than 2.3 billion lack reliable access to food. The organization calls on nations to unite their efforts for a future where no one is left without food or opportunities for development.

Uzbekistan on FAO’s Cultural Map

The forum also highlights the cultural contributions of countries—symbols reflecting the connection between land, labor, and tradition.

Uzbekistan presented two national exhibits at the new FAO Food and Agriculture Museum: a traditional tandoor oven and a collection of silk fabrics, atlas and adras.

The tandoor, handcrafted by Uzbek artisans, symbolizes abundance, hospitality, and food security, while the silk collection represents harmony between nature, labor, and culture.

As Sherzod Umarov, Deputy FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, noted:

“These exhibits illustrate the relationship between humans, soil, and tradition. The soil produces grain for bread, nourishes mulberry trees used for silk, and embodies the cycle of life—the foundation of a sustainable future.”

FAO at 80: Healthy Soil, Healthy Future

The organization’s anniversary motto, “Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, Healthy Future,” reflects FAO’s strategic focus on soil protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Uzbekistan has actively collaborated with FAO since 2001, implementing joint programs to develop agriculture, introduce climate-smart technologies, and promote sustainable agri-food systems.

A priority area of cooperation is promoting Uzbekistan’s sericulture system for inclusion in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) list—an acknowledgment that highlights the country’s unique contribution to preserving traditions and biodiversity.

About the World Food Forum

The World Food Forum (WFF) integrates three key components:

Global Youth Action Forum: youth initiatives and startups

Science and Innovation Forum: scientific solutions and technological developments

Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum: investments and partnership projects

Throughout the week, high-level meetings, innovation labs, and cultural exhibitions are held, including the global exhibition “From Seeds to Foods.”