This is a key moment to spotlight and empower youth leadership in transforming agrifood systems for a more sustainable, food-secure future. 

The Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, launched at UNCCD COP16 in 2024, is a global coalition of nearly 80 development partners working to address urgent challenges of food insecurity, land degradation, climate vulnerability, and rural poverty, with an initial focus on the global south.
The new Youth Workstream brings young leaders directly into the Flagship’s three action pillars — Collaborate Broadly, Mobilize the Private Sector, and Deliver Impact with Agility. It is designed to drive youth-led solutions across Policy, Advocacy, and Communication, bridging grassroots innovation with multilateral decision-making.

World Food Day 2025 marks a milestone moment to formally launch this Workstream and co-develop a shared roadmap toward April/May 2026, aligned with the Flagship’s mission. The session will also outline pathways for collaboration under the three core pillars, highlighting opportunities for youth partners, institutions, and member organizations to engage in co-creation, knowledge exchange, and joint implementation.

By embedding youth leadership into the Flagship’s governance and action framework, this initiative seeks to ensure that the next generation becomes a driving force for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems worldwide.

Maurizio Navarra, Secretariat Coordinator of the GDPRD, will speak at the event during the "From Promise to Delivery - Partner Perspectives" session. He will share insights from the Donor Platform's members and the Thematic Working Group on Rural Youth Employment, on the role of donors in creating conditions for youth-led solutions and engagement in food systems transformation.