Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA)
The GFFA is an important event that brings together experts, politicians and interest groups to develop solutions for future food security.
2027 GFFA Theme: Resilient Food Systems from Fields to Global Markets
A resilient agriculture and food sector is the foundation of a secure and sustainable global food supply. However, geopolitical conflicts, extreme weather events, volatile markets and fragile supply chains are placing increasing pressure on food systems worldwide. Ensuring global food security in the long term requires innovative solutions, strong international partnerships and decisive political action.
The GFFA 2027 will focus on four key areas: securing menas of production, boosting trade and diversification, promoting innovation and modern technologies, and strengthening food safety, animal and plant health. Together, we will discuss how to strengthen the resilience of agriculture and food systems and pave the way for a sustainable, future-oriented and crisis-proof agricultural sector.
2026 GFFA Results – Retrospective
Key outcomes of the 18th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference
It was highlighted that sustainable water and agricultural management playa a key role in ensuring food and water security.
Efficient water use in agriculture should promoted, including through precision irrigation, water-saving measures, water reuse, soil protection, and the reduction of food losses.
Water retention, storage, and sustainable use of soil and groundwater should be strengthened; nature-based solutions such as the preservation of healthy soils, forests, and wetlands play a key role in this regard, as do technical solutions such as retention basins or seawater desalination.
Agriculture must be able to cope with both water scarcity and water surpluses; flood risk management should be strengthened.
Pollution of water by agriculture and aquaculture should be reduced; proven practices to protect water quality, such as cover cropping and buffer strips, should be expanded.
Genetic diversity and breeding should be improved to enhance drought and salinity tolerance.
Research, development, innovation, and infrastructure, as well as AI and improved data systems, are crucial for efficient water use.
The potential of a sustainable blue bioeconomy should be promoted as a contribution to food security, climate protection, biodiversity, and regional value creation. It was highlighted that, particularly in coastal and rural regions, the promotion of the blue bioeconomy can create diversified income opportunities.
Competition over water use should be addressed through integrated, participatory water resources management, clear rights, gender equality, and the protection of vulnerable groups.
International water governance and the role of UN institutions should be strengthened, particularly in the run-up to the UN Water Conference taking place in 2026.
2026 Young Farmers’ Forum
At the International Young Farmers’ Forum 2026, 19 young farmers from all continents were once again invited to Berlin. They actively contributed their valuable experiences on water issues from their own farms or their work in national farmers’ associations to the GFFA discussions. They developed their own statement, which they presented at the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference and which included in particular the following points:
Statements by Young Farmers
Young farmers face major challenges due to climate change, resource scarcity, wars, and declining food security.
Water is a central and increasingly scarce resource. Dilapidated infrastructure and poor governance exacerbate the situation.
Secure harvests require access to water, energy, infrastructure, knowledge, and improved risk management.
Innovations (e.g. modern irrigation, digitalization, agroecology) strengthen resilience but are not accessible to everyone.
The bioeconomy can help stabilize incomes and create more value added in agriculture.
Young farmers must be more strongly involved in political decision-making processes – because they are not only the future, but already key actors today.
2026 GFFA Expert Events
At GFFA 2026, around 2,000 international participants exchanged views in 16 expert panels, 3 high-level panels, and the Cooperation Exchange on the sustainable use of water, the innovation potential of the blue bioeconomy, constructive solutions to competing water uses, and the strengthening of international water governance.
The GFFA was officially opened by Parliamentary State Secretary Englhardt-Kopf. The UN Special Envoy for Water also delivered a keynote address.
For the third time, one of the three high-level panels was co-hosted by the BMLEH and the Munich Security Conference (MSC) under the title “Hydrostrategic Thinking: The Geopolitics of Water Resilience and Food Security”.
The other high-level panels were hosted by the AU on the topic of “Sustainable Water Resources Management for a Food-secure Africa – raising the voice of agriculture and the blue bioeconomy” and by the FAO on the topic of “Finding Constructive Solutions to Competing Uses”. The Cooperation Exchange was officially opened by Parliamentary State Secretary Englhardt-Kopf. It showcased innovations in the agricultural sector as well as projects from multilateral and international cooperation.