Minister Heydon marks World Food Day 2025
- Published on: 16 October 2025
- Last updated on: 16 October 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today marked World Food Day 2025, joining global partners in reaffirming Ireland’s commitment to ending hunger and promoting a sustainable and equitable global food system.
Speaking to mark the occasion, Minister Heydon said:
“World Food Day reminds us that food is fundamental to life, yet too many people around the world still go hungry. Ireland stands in solidarity with all those working to overcome food insecurity.”
Minister Heydon noted that Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s agri-food strategy sets a clear path towards an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable agri-food sector, that contributes to global food security:
“All along the food chain, beginning with farmers, fishers and rural communities, we can shape a food system that nourishes people, protects our environment, and supports future generations.”
World Food Day 2025 is being marked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome by the official inauguration of the FAO Museum and Network. A soil auger donated by Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle Estate, managed by the Irish Heritage Trust, was selected as an exhibit from Ireland.
World Food Day 2025 occurs during the week of the World Food Forum in Rome, the opening of which this year included a video address by President Michael D. Higgins. This year’s World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” calls for unity and cooperation in addressing the global challenges of hunger, conflict, and climate change, working together to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
Reflecting on Ireland’s support of the World Food Forum, Minister Heydon said that:
“By supporting youth delegates from the Global South and ensuring Ireland’s agri-food youth voices are heard, we are strengthening partnerships, innovation and shared responsibility to build a resilient and sustainable global food future.”
Ireland contributed over €4.8milllion to FAO and its work in 2024.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
World Food Day, observed each year on 16 October, commemorates the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945. It is marked globally to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable, equitable and resilient food systems and to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against hunger.
President Addresses the World Food Forum Grand Opening 2025 | President of Ireland
The World Food Forum flagship event is a global platform that mobilises youth, science, innovation and investment to transform agrifood systems. It unites diverse stakeholders to turn ideas into action, scale solutions, and forge partnerships that advance the Sustainable Development Goals at all levels. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is sponsoring the participation of 80 delegates from 40 countries in the Global South at this year’s World Food Forum. In addition, Ireland’s national youth delegation, representing the breadth of Ireland’s agri-food youth community including primary producers, the private sector, academia, research institutions and the semi-state sector, is participating in the Forum throughout the week.