The 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) Chengdu Launching Week officially kicks off at the China-Europe Center in Chengdu on 24 March . [Photo provided by World Food Forum (China)]
Chengdu, China, 24 March, 2025 — The 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) Chengdu Launching Week officially began this morning at the China-Europe Center in Chengdu. Supported by the Project on Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development of Agrifood Systems in China - a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Shanghai Xunmeng Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Pinduoduo), and the China Agricultural Science and Education Foundation - the event is organized by the Agricultural Information Institute and the Overseas Agriculture Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). It also receives support from China.org.cn, the China-Europe Center, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sustainable Development Innovation Lab (Chengdu).
Carlos Aldeco, the FAO Representative in China, stated that youth are the hope for the future and a critical force in transforming agrifood systems. The WFF has created a platform for young people to showcase their talents, exchange ideas and collaborate on shared development. He emphasized, "we look forward to joining hands with all sectors in China to inspire the ingenuity of youth, advance agricultural technology and innovation, and work together toward a sustainable future for agriculture".
During the opening ceremony, keynote speeches covered topics such as smart agricultural technologies, youth innovation and international cooperation, injecting new momentum into the pursuit of sustainable global agriculture development.
Liu Xianwu, Vice President of CAAS, emphasized that global agrifood systems are facing significant challenges, and scientific and technological innovation is key to ensuring food security. He highlighted the crucial role of young scientists in driving agricultural advancements, stating, “As a leading national research institution, CAAS places youth talent development at the core of its strategy. Chinese agricultural youth will achieve great success on the global stage and make significant contributions to the development of agriculture”.
Carlos Watson, Chief of the Private Sector Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division at FAO, emphasized Chengdu’s strategic role as both an innovation hub for digital economies and smart services in western China and a major national agricultural base ensuring food security". Chengdu plays a vital role in strengthening food supply chains, promoting nutritional advancements and fostering sustainable agricultural development", he stated. “As the inaugural host of the 2025 World Food Forum’s China Series Celebrations, Chengdu High-Tech Zone is poised to become a key driver of agricultural technology innovation and sustainability”.
Representatives from the Department of Agro-product Safety and Quality at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, the Chengdu High-Tech Zone, the Embassy of Peru in Beijing, the Lao She Foundation, and FAO’s Office of Youth and Women also delivered remarks during the opening ceremony, sharing their insights and commitments to advancing global agricultural innovation and sustainability.
The World Food Forum (WFF) Chengdu Launching Ceremony [Photo provided by World Food Forum (China)]
The World Food Forum (China) aspires to forge a youth-driven sustainable agricultural future through technological and cultural advancements. By fostering cross-sector collaboration among governments, industries, academia and research institutions, the initiative aims to mobilize youth participation in agricultural digitalization, preserve ecological wisdom embedded in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, accelerate climate-resilient technological adoption and cultivate inclusive urban-rural food networks— offering valuable Chinese insights to global food security.
During the International Smart Agriculture Dialogue, young representatives from five award-winning teams of the Pinduoduo Smart Agriculture Competition showcased AI-driven farming technologies. Their demonstrations featured data-driven approaches to cultivating crops such as strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce, alongside innovations in facility agriculture and livestock management. These breakthroughs reflect China’s agricultural transformation from traditional, experience-driven farming to cutting-edge, data-driven precision agriculture.
[Photo provided by World Food Forum (China)]
The Launching Week features a series of engaging activities, including two notable upcoming events: the Global Youth-Driven Innovation and Development Dialogue on Agricultural Heritage and Resilient Habitat on 25 March and the Agricultural Heritage Branding and Promotion Workshop on 26 March.