Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The World Food Forum which took place in Rome, Italy, from October 14 to 18, brought together tens of thousands of participants and experts from around the world. This year’s discussions focused on "Good food for all, for today and tomorrow."

The forum has become a global platform for dialogue, uniting generations—particularly youth, farmers, agricultural producers, policymakers, scientists, and investors to address key issues and move toward improving food and agriculture systems.

With the initiative and support of the FAO office in Uzbekistan, students from Tashkent State Agrarian University and New Uzbekistan University were included in the country’s youth delegation. Their voices were heard on the global stage: "Despite the serious challenges related to water scarcity, Uzbek youth are becoming the driving force for change. We are actively working to restore ecosystems, implement sustainable agricultural practices, and use water resources efficiently. We call for collective efforts to spread knowledge on water conservation and sustainable agriculture," they stated, addressing the forum participants. In their address, the delegation also touched upon the issue of green education and the involvement of children and youth in tackling food and agriculture issues. Young people shared their experiences and ideas, the measures taken in the area, and suggested ways for further interaction.

At the same time, a bilateral meeting between FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and the delegation of Uzbekistan led by Alisher Shukurov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was also held as part of the forum. Productive bilateral cooperation was particularly noted, prospects, and measures to strengthen support for women and youth in the agri-food sector were discussed during the meeting.

In parallel with the forum, the headquarters hosted an event dedicated to the culture of Uzbekistan. Attendees included Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, the First Deputy Director of the Agency for Youth Affairs, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Italy, the FAO Permanent Representative, and a delegation of Uzbek students along with other forum participants. During the event, our youth delivered a presentation on food safety and innovations in agriculture as part of the "Uzbekistan Lounge" at the FAO headquarters in Italy. The goal was to highlight the state’s achievements in the agricultural sector and emphasize the importance of agri-education.Our youth demonstrated achievements in agriculture, food waste recycling, and also presented examples of national cultural heritage. In particular, the guests expressed an interest towards the traditions of sericulture, Al-Khoja honey derived from the Middle Zarafshan oasis, pomegranates from the Kuva region and the famous Rishton pottery. These traditions are not only historical but also important due to their close connection with comprehensive sustainable practices. During the meeting, the FAO team in Uzbekistan also provided information on joint efforts to improve the efficiency and sustainability of agriculture in Uzbekistan.

This event allowed participants to get to know the Uzbek cultural legacy better, explore the close ties between agriculture and gastronomy, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of our national heritage on an international perspective.