From 29 September to 1 October 2025, the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) participated in the 2nd Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Rome, where policymakers, farmers, the private sector, civil society representatives, NGOs, researchers, and development agencies came together to share experiences and showcase actionable solutions for the sustainable transformation of the livestock sector.

Building on the 2023 FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation and subsequent regional forums, the Conference focused on three key areas: fostering change, scaling innovations and driving solutions.

Ahead of the Conference, WFO released an official Statement on Sustainable Livestock Transformation setting out the organisation’s vision for a farmer-centred approach to sustainable livestock transformation and its priorities for engagement during the three days of discussions and beyond.

The WFO delegation, led by President Arnold Puech d’Alissac, included Secretary General Andrea Porro, Gymnasium Alumna Evangelisa Chekera (Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union – ZFU), Elena Castellani (Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock – CNA) and Scientific Council Members Peer Ederer, Frédéric Leroy, Jacqueline Rowarth, Mariana de Aragão Pereira, and Michael Lee, reflecting the organisation’s broad expertise and diverse perspectives.

Youth Driving Innovation in Livestock

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At the Conference, WFO co-hosted the side event “Today’s Leaders, Tomorrow’s Success – Youth Leadership in Sustainable Livestock” with the Canadian Cattle Association and the Animal Task Force. The discussion placed young people at the centre as key drivers of today’s sustainable livestock systems, highlighting opportunities for transformation while addressing the challenges youth face in leading change.

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The session also featured contributions from the Institut de l’Elevage, the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

WFO young farmer Evangelisa Chekera shared her first-hand perspective, describing how she developed an innovative chick brooding device from her early poultry farming experience — a clear example of young farmers driving transformation in agriculture. She also stressed the importance of the peer-to-peer learning programmes, such as the WFO Gymnasium Capacity Building Programme, in empowering young farmers to lead change.

Watch the full event recording here.

Farmer-Centric Sustainable Livestock Solutions

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In the Plenary Session “Research, Consumer and Farmer Organisations: Perspectives, Commitments, and Impactful Actions,” WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac called for stronger commitments from policymakers, markets, and international partners.

He reminded participants that farmers are not a problem to be fixed, but rather problem-solvers, continually innovating to tackle climate change, animal disease, and food security. He urged that policies must deliver tangible benefits for farmers, valuing their expertise and enabling them to innovate, adopt climate-smart livestock practices, and enhance food security and nutrition.

The President also underlined the holistic nature of farming, which requires balancing productivity, economic viability, biodiversity, and animal welfare. He cautioned against treating these dimensions in isolation, underlining the need for integrated approaches that support farmers in implementing climate-smart practices that strengthen both livelihoods and biodiversity.

Watch the full event recording here.

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The Plenary Session “Institutional and Social Innovations in the Livestock Sector” featured Jacqueline Rowarth, agronomist from New Zealand and WFO Scientific Council member. She highlighted that innovation often involves risks, which, while challenging, can also create new opportunities. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between scientists and farmers to manage these risks and ensure that innovation drives progress in agriculture.

Watch the full event recording here.

Farmer-oriented Policies That Deliver on the Ground

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At the side event “Feeding the Future: Building Pathways to More Sustainable Livestock Production”, organised by WFO Member Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA Brazil), Secretary General Andrea Porro highlighted the global significance of livestock, not only for its vital contribution to livelihoods and rural economies, but also for its positive environmental roles.

Quoting the recently issued WFO Statement on Sustainable Livestock, he stressed the need for comprehensive strategies that build on existing achievements, backed by targeted economic measures, scaled-up investments, and fair burden-sharing in sustainability monitoring.

He further underlined the importance of inclusive policymaking, noting:

“WFO calls for inclusive policies that ensure farmers’ organisations are fully consulted in shaping sustainable livestock policies. They can only be workable if farmers are fully engaged throughout the entire development process.”

Adding the Brazilian perspective, Mariana Pereira, a member of the WFO Scientific, showcased sustainable livestock production solutions, such as crop-livestock-forestry integration, to address pastureland degradation and strengthen resilient farming systems.

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Empowering Farmers to Drive Sustainable Livestock Transformation

Sustainable livestock transformation is essential for global food security, environmental sustainability, and rural resilience.

Through its active participation at the FAO Conference, WFO reaffirmed that farmers are ready to innovate, adapt, and drive change across diverse livestock systems. Yet, to succeed at scale, these efforts must be matched with adequate investment, recognition of farmers’ contributions, and fairness in the design and implementation of global strategies.

Looking ahead, WFO will continue to advocate for inclusive policies, targeted support, and collaborative approaches, ensuring that those who feed the world are empowered while ecosystems and livelihoods are safeguarded.

Cover photo: ©FAO/Cristiano Minichiello