The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) opened its second global exhibition, “From Seeds to Foods,” in Rome, bringing together over 300 exhibitors from 140 countries. Highlighting breakthroughs across livestock, crops, and fisheries, the event sets the stage for the World Food Forum by framing technical innovation as a prerequisite for global food resilience.

Rome’s historic Circo Massimo hosted the opening of FAO’s five-day global exhibition, “From Seeds to Foods,” showcasing 400 agricultural products, processing technologies, and supply chain innovations. Spanning five dedicated pavilions—Crops, Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry, and Land and Water—the event directly connects raw resource management with downstream food systems. Speaking at the opening ceremony, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized that the transition from production to processing requires practical, accessible tools across the entire value chain. “Innovation must deliver practical and affordable solutions for food security and nutrition,” Qu noted, stressing that technological progress must span from basic inputs to transport and end markets. Featuring ministerial delegations and international experts, the exhibition serves as an operational lead-in to the World Food Forum and World Food Day ceremonies at FAO headquarters. By integrating technical demonstrations with high-level policy dialogue, the event establishes a benchmark for how cross-sector innovation can reinforce global agrifood resilience against systemic disruption.

The “From Seeds to Foods” exhibition runs from 8 to 12 October 2026, serving as the official curtain-raiser for the World Food Forum (12–16 October) and World Food Day 2026 under the central theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”