Latin America and the Caribbean participates in the World Food Forum 2026
Rome – Hybrid event, 8–16 October 2026
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Introduction
From 8 to 16 October, Latin America and the Caribbean will participate in the World Food Forum 2026, in Rome and virtually. Under the theme “Innovate Today to Nourish Tomorrow,” the region will share investment proposals, experiences and knowledge to advance towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The regional agenda will bring together governments, youth, producers, academic institutions, Indigenous Peoples, development partners and the private sector. Activities will explore concrete opportunities to strengthen production, generate rural employment, add value and expand access to markets through investment, science, innovation and partnerships.
The agenda begins from 8 to 12 October with the regional pavilion at the “From Seeds to Foods” exhibition at Circo Massimo, inviting visitors to discover how agroforestry systems connect territories, communities and ecosystems “from watershed to sea.”
At the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum, nine countries will present their national investment plans, alongside regional proposals for the Amazon and the SICA Dry Corridor and Arid Zones.
The region’s participation will also include spaces for youth leadership and entrepreneurship, scientific exchange, academic cooperation, and dialogue on water and Indigenous Peoples’ food systems.
Explore the Latin America and the Caribbean agenda, discover its investment opportunities, and find news, videos and links to follow the region’s participation.
FAO Global Exhibition | Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Pavilion | FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (only in Spanish)
Contacts
Regional Pavilion at the “From Seeds to Foods” Exhibition
World Food Forum
Video
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Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum
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Amazon
13 October | 14:00–15:30 (UTC+2) | Red Room
Investments in the bioeconomy and digital services to connect producers with sustainable markets, add value and improve livelihoods.
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Cuba
13 October | 15:45–17:15 (UTC+2) | Iran Room
Investments in coffee, honey and bee products to modernize processes, strengthen traceability and access high-quality international markets.
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El Salvador
13 October | 15:45–17:15 (UTC+2) | Iran Room
Investments to modernize coffee production and processing, strengthen agroforestry systems and access higher-value markets.
Guatemala
13 October | 15:45–17:15 (UTC+2) | Iran Room
Investments in coffee, cocoa and cardamom, rural roads, and water and soil conservation to foster territorial development.
Mexico
13 October | 15:45–17:15 (UTC+2) | Iran Room
Investments in sugarcane to produce ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel, generate employment and diversify rural markets.
Bolivia
14 October | 10:30–12:00 (UTC+2) | Red Room
Investments in native cocoa, Amazonian fruits, regenerative livestock production and Andean camelids to strengthen sustainable value chains with export potential.
Chile
14 October | 10:30–12:00 (UTC+2) | Red Room
Infrastructure for wheat and cereals, connectivity and digital services to improve the competitiveness and market access of small-scale rural producers.
Colombia
14 October | 10:30–12:00 (UTC+2) | Red Room
An agro-industrial and logistics hub in Boyacá and sustainable livestock production in Córdoba to strengthen productivity, value addition and rural incomes.
Ecuador
14 October | 10:30–12:00 (UTC+2) | Red Room
Specialty cocoa, regenerative livestock production and the blue transformation of tuna to promote competitive, resilient and deforestation-free value chains.
Dry Corridor and Arid Zones
14 October | 14:00–15:30 (UTC+2) | Red Room
Investments in water management, agrometeorological information, soils and digital services to strengthen rural resilience and productivity.
Join online
Haiti
14 October | 16:00–17:30 (UTC+2) | Red Room
Investment in the coffee value chain to increase producer families’ incomes and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Opening Ceremony
12 October | 10:00–12:30 (UTC+2) | Plenary Hall
Participation of René Orellana Halkyer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, and María José Pinto, Vice President of Ecuador. Launch of the Youth Chapters in Brazil, Mexico, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Youth Leadership in FAO Regional Conferences: Driving Impact in 2026–2028
13 October | 14:00–15:30 (UTC+2) | YA01
Participation of Pablo Rabczuk, Senior Programme Officer for FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Valentina Morales, Rural Development Specialist.
Youth Food Lab: Cultivating Entrepreneurship
14 October | 17:30–18:30 | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Participation of the Regional Youth Food Lab, Peru and Universidad Mayor of Chile.
World Schools Assembly of the World Food Forum
13 October | 10:00–11:30 (UTC+2) | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Second Anniversary of the Four Betters Courses
13 October | 10:00–11:30 (UTC+2) | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Generational Renewal + World Food Forum Film Festival
13 October | 16:30–19:00 (UTC+2) | Sheikh Zayed Centre
Participation of Chile
Partnerships and Knowledge for Agrifood Transformation in Latin America
15 October | 17:45–18:45 (UTC+2) | GS15
Financial inclusion for youth: towards more inclusive agrifood systems (only in spanish)
October | 17:00–18:00 (UTC+2) | Virtual | YD08
Opening Ceremony
13 October | 14:00–15:30 (UTC+2) | Plenary Hall
Participation of Cuba
Participation of Cuba’s Minister of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), Armando Rodríguez Batista.
Global Dialogue on Water Tenure
14 October | 9:00–12:00 (UTC+2) | Plenary Hall
Participation of René Orellana Halkyer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Lost in Translation? Strengthening Science–Policy Interfaces for Evidence-Informed Decision-Making
14 October | 08:30–10:00 (UTC+2) | ST01
Participation of Cuba
News
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Chefs and influencers join World Food Day commemoration
14/10/2026
Leading figures from the culinary world and content creators across Latin America and the Caribbean join FAO’s campaign to raise awareness of the importance of healthy, diverse and sustainable diets.
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FAO and ACTO present USD 29.3 million investment program to promote an Amazonian Bioeconomy
14/10/2026
The proposal, presented at the 2026 Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum, aims to develop digital ecosystems and implement traceability technology across the eight countries of the Amazon region.
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Latin America and the Caribbean presents $2.292 billion in agrifood investment opportunities at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum
14/10/2026
Proposals from nine countries and two subregional initiatives aim to strengthen agrifood systems, stimulate rural economies, and create better opportunities across territories.
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FAO promotes more equitable water governance for food security at Rome Water Dialogue
14/10/2026
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Rene Orellana Halkyer, moderated panels featuring government officials, representatives of international organizations and financial institutions to discuss water access, investment and water governance.
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Latin American and Caribbean leaders highlight progress and challenges in eradicating hunger at the World Food Forum 2026
14/10/2026
Representatives from five countries in the region shared experiences, public policies and commitments to strengthen food security, promote agricultural innovation and accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.
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FAO calls for stronger youth leadership in agrifood transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean
12/10/2026
At the opening of the Global Youth Forum in Rome, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Rene Orellana Halkyer highlighted young people’s creativity and capacity to innovate, become entrepreneurs and develop solutions.