Side event at the 2026 International Horticultural Congress (IHC 2026)
Fruits and vegetables are critical sources of essential nutrients and support livelihoods across their value chains — from farmers and processors to traders — making them central to food security, nutrition and economic development. More than 1 000 species contribute to about 30 percent of global food consumption and 20 percent of global food exports. Yet, investment in research and development for many of these crops remains sub-optimal, particularly in countries where food insecurity and malnutrition are most widespread. FAO’s forthcoming Global report Unlocking the full potentials of fruits and vegetables globally, will examine trends in production, marketing and consumption, and identify key value-chain constraints to inform priority actions.
Organized under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), the International Horticultural Congress (IHC) is a leading global forum for sharing knowledge and innovation in horticulture. IHC 2026, to be held in Kyoto, Japan, under the theme Exploring the Diversity of Horticulture, provides an important platform for FAO to present its horticulture-related work, engage with the global community, and gather feedback through a proposed side event.
The FAO side event will bring together Member Nations, FAO staff, policymakers, private sector representatives, researchers, development partners, civil society, youth and farmers’ organizations, and the media to discuss priorities for unlocking the potential of fruits and vegetables for sustainable agrifood systems.
- Present preliminary findings from FAO’s forthcoming Global Report and obtain feedback from the scientific and wider horticultural sector community.
- Facilitate firsthand interactionbetween FAO leadership and policymakers, private sector, research and academia and sundry development partners on the strengthening of horticulture value chains.
- Identify key priority areas for policy interventions and investment opportunities for enhanced production and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Expected Outcomes
Identification of key issuesfor the finalization of FAO’s forthcoming global fruits and vegetables report.
Increased awareness among the horticultural sector stakeholders of FAO’s role in leveraging fruits and vegetables in transforming agrifood systems for greater sustainability.
Facilitated exchange of perspectives amongst stakeholders as means to increased multiform partnerships.
View the event recording
Proposed agenda ( 90 minutes)
Simultaneous interpretation is available in English and Japanese
| Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 3 minutes | Welcome by the Chair | Yurdi Yasmi, Director, Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), FAO |
| 3 minutes | Video opening remarks | QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO – Welcome remarks |
| 5 minutes | Potential of fruits and vegetables in Malawi | The HonourableRoza Fatch Mbilizi,Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Malawi (TBC) |
| 5 minutes | Potential of fruits and vegetables in Nepal | The HonourableGita Chaudhary,Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Forests and Environment, Nepal (TBC) |
| 10 minutes | FAO fruits and vegetables report Unlocking the Full Potential of Fruits and Vegetables Globally: Preliminary results and future directions | Guido Santini, Programme Coordinator, NSP, FAO |
| 7 minutes | Investing in horticulture | Erin McGuire,Director, Responsible Innovations |
| 7 minutes | Private sector perspective: Innovation and investment for competitive fruit and vegetable value chains | Takaharu Kawase,CEO, TAKII Seed |
| 30 minutes | Moderated panel: Priorities across fruits and vegetable value chains | Moderator: Makiko Taguchi, Agricultural Officer, FAO Panelists:
|
| 15 minutes | Questions & answers | Open discussion with participants |
| 5 minutes | Closing remarks | Rémi Nono Womdim,Special Adviser, FAO |
Documents
Workshop participant engagement with the fruits and vegetables report
Related Links
Plant Production and Protection Division
International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
See also
Press release: FAO Director-General: Unlocking horticulture’s potential is key to transforming agrifood systems and delivering healthy diets for all
In other news
UN News (Chinese) :粮农组织：释放园艺业潜力是促使农业食品体系转型、提供健康膳食的关键
Italy’s efanews: FAO: horticulture key to transforming agri-food systems
BusinessMirror:‘Unlocking horticulture’s potential key to delivering healthy diets’
