On 13 October 2025, the World Food Forum (WFF)’s Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative) hosted the WFF Youth concert as part of the 2025 WFF flagship event at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The concert gathered thousands of virtual participants and more than 80 in-person attendees, including FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, Chief Scientist (ad interim) Beth Crawford and Deputy Director-General and Director of Cabinet Godfrey Magwenzi.

The concert showcased young artists from Bhutan, The Gambia, Guatemala and Rwanda, whose performances celebrated food heritage and the deep connections between people, land and food.

The evening opened with Sara Curruchich from Guatemala, the 2025 WFF Youth Singer of the Year. Coming from an Indigenous Maya Kaqchikel farming community, Sara is renowned for her powerful voice advocating for Indigenous rights. She performed Germina Libertad, alongside Mexican drummer Moty (Natalia Miranda), captivating the audience with melodies of resilience, connection to land and harmony with nature. Through her music, she reminded participants that culture and tradition play a vital role in shaping inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems.

The concert featured Yahya Sonko, a kora player and storyteller from The Gambia, whose performance blend Afro-Mande sounds and modern rhythms that explored the links between music, culture and agrifood systems. He reflected on the importance of preserving traditional instruments and storytelling.

The Inganji Culture Troupe from Rwanda followed with a vibrant traditional dance celebrating resilience, unity and the role of youth in keeping cultural traditions alive. The evening concluded with a Boedra performance by the Bhutan Youth Dance Group, expressing the harmony between people, nature and agriculture, reminding the audience that food is deeply tied to culture and community.

The 2025 WFF Youth Concert highlighted how preserving and promoting food heritage contributes to transforming agrifood systems. Through music and performance, it showcased the richness of global traditions while reinforcing a shared commitment to building resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.