The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is gearing up for its annual meeting, set to take place in Rome at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 2024. The gathering of family farmers, farmer leaders, agricultural organisations, and other stakeholders from around the world, promises to be a vibrant platform for discussions, knowledge exchange, and multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at advancing sustainability in global agri-food systems.
Annually, the WFO event brings together a diverse group of participants, including young and women farmer leaders, agricultural cooperatives, government representatives, multilateral institutions, academia, scientists, private sectors, civil society groups, and financial institutions. This inclusive approach fosters forward-looking dialogues and offers a unique opportunity to tackle the complex challenges facing the agriculture sector today.
The collaboration between the FAO and WFO dates back to 2014, during the International Year of Family Farming, and was officially formalised in 2018 with the signing of MOU. In January 2023, this partnership was renewed, reaffirming the commitment of both organizations to support family farmers worldwide.
FAO’s decision to host the WFO annual meeting at its headquarters in Rome reflects the significance of this partnership.
WFO president Arnold Puech d’Alissac expressed gratitude for FAO’s decision, stating, “We are grateful to FAO for this decision to open its doors to the World Farmers Organisation. It confirms the importance that we mutually attribute to our partnership, and it offers a chance to family farmers and their organised structures from all over the world to visit the heart of the global political dialogue on food and agriculture.”
The event is expected to provide a significant momentum for enhancing and promoting the central role of farmers in designing successful pathways towards more sustainable agrifood systems. It aims to address global challenges, share innovations, and safeguard biodiversity for the betterment of our people and our planet.
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