ROME, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) opened Monday at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, coinciding with the organization's 80th anniversary.

The week-long forum, held under the theme "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future," brings together world leaders, ministers and thousands of delegates from across sectors for high-level dialogues, exhibitions, and youth-led initiatives aimed at transforming global agrifood systems amid growing challenges from climate change, conflicts, and biodiversity loss.

"Food is life, culture, and a basic human right," FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said at the opening of the forum, reflecting on eight decades of the organization's leadership in the fight against hunger.

He warned that 673 million people still face hunger worldwide, while 2.3 billion experience food insecurity. "Transformation is like creating a mosaic - it takes many hands, many colors and shared imagination," Qu said, urging collective action to end hunger and malnutrition across the globe.

Founded in 1945, the FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.

Since its launch in 2021, the WFF has grown into a major platform connecting governments, scientists, investors and young leaders through its three pillars: Youth, Science and Innovation, and Investment.

This year, the forum's program includes youth and innovation dialogues, cultural performances, and high-level events such as the FAO Global Exhibition "From Seeds to Foods" and World Food Day celebrations.