The First Global Forum on Policy Solutions for Family Farming will take place at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome, Italy, on 24–25 September 2025, under the theme: “Family Farming and Inclusive Rural Transformation: Solutions for Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change.”

Through the facilitation of policy dialogue, the Forum will provide a space for knowledge exchange between key actors, exploring innovative approaches to the design and implementation of public policies and investments to enhance the resilience, sustainability and economic inclusion of family farming. It will highlight concrete examples and solutions which highlight the benefits of interconnecting diverse policy areas and showcase the necessity and practicalities of integrating family farming issues into broader food, agricultural, social, and environmental policies.

The Forum will build on the outcomes of the Global Family Farming Forum, held on 15–17 October 2024, and the Inter-regional Policy Dialogues, held between May and September 2025. It is co-organised by the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), together with FAO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, within the framework of the Regional Technical Platform on Family Farming (RTP).

As the Vice Chair of the UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF) International Steering Committee (ISC)—the main governing body of the Decade of Family Farming tasked with overseeing its implementation, monitoring activities, and providing guidance—the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is committed to driving forward the implementation of the Decade and advancing a farmer-oriented policy-making that empowers family farmers, particularly women and youth.

The WFO, represented by Board Member for the European Constituency, Kati Partanen, Evangelista Chekera, alumna of the WFO Gymnasium Program, and Luisa Volpe, WFO Advocacy, Policy and Partnerships Practice Leader, will address the Forum. WFO representatives will advocate for the creation of an enabling policy environment that strengthens the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of family farming communities worldwide.

WFO’s involvement throughout the First Global Forum on Policy Solutions for Family Farming:

Wednesday, 24th September 2025 | 09:00-09:30 CEST | Sheikh Zayed Centre | Welcome and opening: Introduction to the Global Forum on Policy Innovations for Family Farming | Speaker: Kati Partanen, WFO Board Member for the European Constituency.

Thursday, 25th September 2025 | 14:00-15:30 CEST | Sheikh Zayed Centre | Policy solutions for family farming – market access and economic opportunities | Speaker: Evangelista Chekera, WFO Gymnasium Alumna.

Thursday, 25th September 2025 | 15:30-16:50 CEST | Sheikh Zayed Centre | Strategies for follow up and closing | Speaker: Luisa Volpe, WFO Advocacy, Policy & Partnerships Practice Lead.

WFO joins Youth Working Group of the UN Decade on Family Farming (UNDFF)

Alongside the Forum, on 22-23 September, the Youth Working Group of the UN Decade on Family Farming (UNDFF) will convene in Rome to assess progress, align strategic directions, and identify resources for the ongoing implementation of Pillar 2 of the UNDFF Global Action Plan (GAP), which focuses on supporting youth and ensuring generational sustainability of family farming. This meeting will provide an opportunity to directly connect the work of the youth working group under Pillar 2 with the UNDFF’s broader framework. The WFO will be represented by Jamie Pepper, WFO Gymnasium Alumnus from Australia.

Stay tuned for more updates!