FAO Director General QU Dongyu gave the warning on Monday while opening the 2026 World Food Forum at the organisation’s headquarters in Rome, Italy. The forum, which runs under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, brings together stakeholders to explore ways of improving food production, strengthening rural economies and building more sustainable agrifood systems.
Dongyu said the increasing frequency and severity of climate related disasters, coupled with biodiversity loss, water shortages and declining agricultural productivity, posed serious threats to food security and livelihoods worldwide.
He stressed that the challenges required urgent innovation and faster implementation of practical solutions, particularly to protect rural communities and improve their ability to create opportunities for young people.
According to him, transforming agrifood systems would require countries to expand successful initiatives, strengthen cooperation and invest in approaches capable of addressing the growing pressures on food production and distribution.
The FAO chief also highlighted the growing role of young people in shaping the future of agriculture. He said the World Food Forum network had expanded to more than 100 national youth chapters in 2026, supported by regional platforms connecting young people with science and innovation.
These initiatives, he explained, were designed to give young people greater opportunities to contribute to agrifood development and gradually take up leadership positions in the sector.
Dongyu recalled that the forum began six years ago as an initiative to give young people a meaningful role in shaping decisions about the future of food and agriculture.
“Six years ago, this forum began as my idea for young people who want more than just a seat at the table,” he said, describing its growth into one of the world’s largest and most distinctive youth movements focused on transforming agrifood systems.
He further emphasised the importance of investment in turning innovative ideas into practical solutions that can benefit farmers, businesses and communities.
According to Dongyu, the forum would provide an opportunity to bring governments, investors and development partners together to identify concrete investment opportunities in agrifood systems and rural development.
He explained that adequate funding was essential to take innovations beyond the planning stage, connect producers with markets, strengthen supply chains and ensure that market demand informed national development priorities.
Dongyu disclosed that $7.8 billion had already been committed to relevant initiatives, adding that the impact of the investments was beginning to emerge.
He also pointed to artificial intelligence, digital technology and scientific research as important tools for addressing challenges across the agricultural sector. These technologies, he said, could help improve food production, distribution and the overall performance of agrifood systems.
The forum’s Science and Innovation Forum is expected to showcase research findings and emerging technologies that could provide practical answers to some of the sector’s most pressing problems.
Dongyu called for stronger partnerships among countries and stakeholders, stressing the need to turn data into scientific knowledge, translate research into effective policies and channel investments into economic growth and improved livelihoods.
“The scale of the challenges requires countries and partners to learn, work and contribute together,” he said.
The 2026 World Food Forum began on October 8 and is scheduled to end on October 16. It brings together government representatives, scientists, innovators, farmers, fishers, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders to promote more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
Activities at the forum include high level discussions and investment focused events such as the Rome Water Dialogue, the Science and Innovation Forum and the Hand in Hand Initiative Investment Forum.
The discussions are expected to explore ways to mobilise resources, encourage scientific innovation and strengthen cooperation in tackling food insecurity, climate related risks and other challenges affecting agriculture and rural development worldwide.
