FAO

Rome Nutrition Week 2026

UN-Nutrition will convene Rome Nutrition Week 2026 from 25–28 May at FAO Headquarters in Rome and online, under the theme “Shaping the Future of Joint Nutrition Action in a Changing World.”

The annual event brings together UN agencies, governments, researchers and partners to strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress on global nutrition challenges. Building on previous editions, the 2026 week will serve as a key platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and coordinated action, emphasising the need for integrated, cross-sector approaches to address malnutrition in all its forms. 

Participants are invited to contribute to a dynamic programme of thematic sessions, showcasing country experiences, practical solutions and evidence of what works. The event aims to highlight effective strategies, foster partnerships and align efforts across food systems, health, climate and development agendas. 

Rome Nutrition Week continues to position nutrition at the centre of sustainable development, recognising its critical role across the Sustainable Development Goals. By convening diverse stakeholders, the 2026 edition will help drive more coherent and impactful action, ensuring that global and country-level efforts are better connected and more responsive to emerging challenges in a rapidly changing world. 

For more information, please visit https://www.unnutrition.org/rome-nutrition-week-2026.

FAO Report: The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security 2025

FAO has recently launched a report on the Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security. This biennial flagship report provides comprehensive evidence on the escalating impact of disasters on global agricultural systems. It also highlights how digital technologies are transforming how farmers, governments, and communities can monitor risks, anticipate impacts, and protect livelihoods.

Enhanced methodologies for assessing disaster impacts across crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture subsector are introduced in The 2025 edition of the report introduces, which offer FAO Member States robust data for evidence-based policymaking. This edition provides actionable recommendations for integrating disaster risk reduction into agricultural policies and investments through digital innovations to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The report also demostrates how technology is revolutionising agricultural risk management, from AI-powered early warning systems to mobile-based insurance reaching millions of smallholder farmers.

While addressing the digital divide that leaves 2.6 billion people offline, the report also emphasises putting farmers at the centre to design solutions with them but not only for them. Through compelling cases and actionable frameworks, the report provides a roadmap for building resilient agricultural systems capable of feeding the world under mounting climate risks.

This publication is an essential resource for governments, development partners, and stakeholders working to build resilient agrifood systems in the face of climate change and increasing disaster risks.

Read the report in Brief

Read the Full Report

World Science Day for Peace and Development 2025: The Role of Nutrition Science

Every year on 10 November, the world celebrates World Science Day for Peace and Development—a moment to recognise the vital contributions of science in fostering wellbeing, sustainability, and understanding among nations. The 2025 celebration reaffirms that all scientific communities share a collective responsibility to use evidence and innovation in supporting and promoting prace and sustainable development.

As part of this global effort, the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) stands alongside the wider scientific community in advancing knowledge that directly supports these aims. Nutrition science plays a fundamental role in promoting health equity, strengthening food systems, and ensuring that sustainable diets are accessible to all.

This commitment was powerfully reflected at the 23rd International Congress of Nutrition (IUNS-ICN 2025), held in Paris under the theme “Sustainable Food for Global Health.” The Congress exemplified IUNS’s mission in action: bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange evidence, foster collaboration, and explore solutions linking human and planetary health.

On this World Science Day for Peace and Development, IUNS celebrates the spirit of global scientific cooperation and reaffirms its dedication to advancing nutrition science that benefits people and the planet alike. By working collectively—across disciplines and borders—we strengthen the foundation for a healthier, more peaceful, and more sustainable future.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Learn more about IUNS initiatives and the outcomes of ICN 2025 at www.iuns.org and www.icn2025.org.

ICN25_ProgrammeFinal – 27.10.25Download

Internship Opportunities at FAO

Here are the latest internship opportunities at FAO.

Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Near East and North Africa (RNE) (2502237)
Location: Various Locations
Closure Date: 31/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Apply

Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for FAO headquarters (HQ) (2502231)
Location: Italy-Rome
Closure Date: 31/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Apply

Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (2502232)
Location: Various Locations
Closure Date: 31/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Apply

Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) (2502234)
Location: Various Locations
Closure Date: 31/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Apply

Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Africa (RAF) (2502233)
Location: Various Locations
Closure Date: 31/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Apply

Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Europe and Central Asia (REU) (2502236)
Location: Various Locations
Closure Date: 31/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Apply

World Food Day: Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future

The world’s agrifood systems are under immense pressure due to a combination of unprecedented factors. Conflict, the effects of extreme weather and climate events, economic shocks, and rising inequality are straining vital resources like farmland, water, and the biodiversity that supports all life. The supply chains that move food remain fragile, and these disruptions are negatively impacting homes, markets, and fields worldwide.

The severe strain on our food system results in a paradox where plenty and scarcity coexist. An estimated 673 million people are currently living with hunger. Yet, in other places, rising levels of obesity and widespread food waste highlight a system drastically out of balance.

Hand in Hand across borders, sectors, and generations

To successfully meet the needs of a growing global population, we need teamwork across borders, sectors, and generations. This system-wide transformation demands greater and more targeted investment, fresh ideas, and deeper cooperation. From governments and international organisations to farmers, researchers, business, and consumers – including youth – everyone has a crucial role to play in shaping the future of our agrifood systems.

Everyone has a role to play! 

Greater and more targeted investment, new ideas, and deeper cooperation are needed. From governments and international organizations to farmers, researchers, businesses, and consumers, including youth, everyone has a role to play in shaping the transformation of agrifood systems. 

As FAO marks 80 years, the Organization is prepared to continue working closely with its members and partners. The focus is clear: to find practical, lasting solutions that not only address today’s challenges but also help achieve a food-secure world for everyone, today and tomorrow.

More Resources about World Food Day

14th International Food Data Conference

The 14th International Food Data Conference (IFDC) will take place at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 1st to 3rd September 2025.

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), this 3-day conference brings together the International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS), a global network of food composition experts dedicated to improving the quality, availability, reliability, and use of food composition data.

The IFDC offers a unique opportunity for the scientific and technical community to gather and focus on the production, management and utilisation of food composition data. It serves as a platform to explore advancements in food composition databases, analytical methods and tools, as well as to share ongoing activities and success stories with fellow experts.

The main aim of the event is to facilitate dialogue among technical experts to address critical aspects of food composition data in the context of sustainable healthy diets and agrifood systems transformation.

Approximately 150 delegates from around the world are expected to attend, including students, food scientists and researches from the public sector, academia, research organisations, scientific associations, industry and international agencies.

The 14th IFDC will focus on the theme : “Food Composition databases – applications for healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems transformation.”

The programme sub-themes include:

  • National and international activities
  • Data methodology and dissemination
  • New databases and approaches
  • New nutrient/compositional data
  • Analytical methods and compliance
  • Biodiversity and food composition
  • Food composition data for agrifood systems transformation
  • Application of food composition databases

To learn more about the IFDC, please visit the official website.

Science Summit 2025: Science for a Sustainable Future

This year, the Science Summit will take place from 9th to 26th September, in New York City and online, alongside the 80th UN General Assembly.

This global event brings together scientists, policymakers and innovators to explore how science can drive progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals whilst staying within planetary boundaries.

This year’s theme highlights the critical role of scientific innovation in ensuring Earth’s stability and resilience. It calls for responsible science that respects natural boundaries and prioritises the well-being of people and the planet.

The key themes will focus on : climate health and digital innovation, AI for science and development, indigenous knowledge and equity and youth participation and science diplomacy.

With over 100 sessions, country showcases and global speakers, the Science Summit promotes collaboration across regions, disciplines and sectors. Participation is free and sessions are open to all virtually or in person.

This Science Summit matters as it is a global platform to turn research into real-world solutions for a fairer and greener future.

For more information, check out the Science Summit’s website.

UN Report warns of worsening hunger crisis

A new joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warns that millions of people face extreme hunger, with the risk of famine and death now imminent. Without urgent humanitarian aid and coordinated international efforts to de-escalate conflict and address mass displacement, conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly.

The latest Hunger Hotspots report, covering June to October 2025, highlights Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali as facing the risks. These regions are either already experiencing or rapidly approaching famine-like conditions due to a combination of escalating conflicts, economic collapse, natural disasters and restricted humanitarian access.

Other countries requiring urgent attention include Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Myanmar, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia and Syria.

In Myanmar, a major earthquake has worsened an already fragile situation. DRC has returned to the list due to intensifying conflict.

There are signs of improvement in some countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi and Zambia, which have been removed from the highest-risk category thanks to improved harvests, reduced conflict or better access. However, FAO and WFP warn these gains remain fragile and could quickly reverse if new shocks occur.

A Call for Immediate Global Action

“This report is a red alert,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “We know where hunger is rising and who is at risk. We have the tools—but without funding and access, we cannot save lives.”

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu added, “Protecting people’s farms and animals, even in the harshest conditions, is essential.”

This report emphasises that early humanitarian response is more cost-effective and life-saving than delayed aid. However, fundings gaps and restricted access are limiting the reach of critical food, nutrition and agriculture assistance. 

The Hunger Hotspots report makes one thing clear: without immediate action, the world risks witnessing avoidable famine and the loss of countless lives.

For more information, read the full UN report here.

World Food Safety Day: Science in Action

On Saturday 7th June 2025, the world marked World Food Safety Day. This special day highlighted the critical importance of safe food and to encourage action at all levels of the food chain. Established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), this international day reminds us that food safety concerns everyone.

Millions of people fall ill each year due to unsafe food. Foodborne diseases affect individuals of all ages, particularly children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Beyond the health burden, unsafe food threatens economies, agriculture, trade and sustainable development.

World Food Safety Day is an important way of :

  • Making people aware of food safety issues;
  • Demonstrating how to prevent illness through food safety;
  • Discussing collaborative approaches to improved food safety across sectors;
  • Promoting solutions and ways of being more food safe.

This year’s theme emphasised the pivotal role of science by ensuring the safety of our food supply. From microbiology and toxicology to food technology and risk analysis, science provides the necessary tools and knowledge to detect and control contaminants, understand how foodborne pathogens spread, develop policies based on risk assessments, innovate safer food production, improve packaging and transport, build early-warning systems and traceability solutions.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. Governments must implement and enforce food safety regulations based on scientific evidence. Farmers and producers need to use good agricultural and hygienic practices. Food industries must apply food safety management systems such as HACCP which stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. Finally, consumers can contribute by storing, cooking and handling food at home. All of these elements show that everyone has a role to play in the food chain.

Sciences continues to evolve, bringing with it new ways to reduce food risks and protect global health. This year, throughout World Food Safety Day proved that science plays a vital role in the food we eat. This is why it’s important to ensure that safe food is available for all, everywhere.

For more information, please check out this document!