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CIHEAM Zaragoza celebrates World Food Day 2025 with Zaragoza Congresses
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > CIHEAM Zaragoza celebrates World Food Day 2025 with Zaragoza Congresses
  • Under the theme ‘The Language of Food in the Mediterranean’, CIHEAM Zaragoza celebrated World Food Day with a warm welcome to representatives of the city’s business community, all members of the City Council’s Convention Bureau ‘Zaragoza Congresses’.

CIHEAM Zaragoza opened its doors to celebrate World Food Day with an inspiring social event that brought together over 40 local business professionals, all members of Zaragoza Congresses. Under the theme ‘The Language of Food in the Mediterranean’, the gathering put the spotlight on innovation, sustainability and international cooperation in food systems.

VOICES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

In a lively and participatory atmosphere, experts, professionals and students exchanged ideas, experiences and projects. Members of the local business community learnt more about CIHEAM Zaragoza’s work in training, research and international cooperation, reaffirming the Institute’s role in bridging scientific knowledge and the practical needs of the agrifood sector.

Accompanied by María José Guillén from Zaragoza Congresses and event coordinator, CIHEAM Zaragoza Director Raúl Compés, opened the event by outlining the Institute’s organisational model, and its local, national, and international impact. He emphasised the importance of this celebration as an opportunity to reflect upon the global challenges linked to food security and sustainability.

VOICES OF OUR STUDENTS

Four students from three of the Institute’s international master’s programmes Master in Plant Genetics, Genomics and Breeding,  Master in Animal Nutrition and Master in Agro-Food Marketing shared their perspectives on the situation of the food sector in their home countries. 

Soumia Bekkouche (Algeria) presented advances in the modernisation of agriculture practices and collaborative initiatives with the FAO aimed at ensuring food security and sustainability. Ibtissem Hamdi (Tunisia) underlined the significance of olive oil and date production in her country, while pointing to the pressing challenges posed by water scarcity. Rana Slim (Lebanon) reflected upon the link between water quality and food safety, stressing the need for more sustainable and equitable food systems. Mohamed Ahmed (Egypt), concluded by describing his country’s progress towards food sovereignty through agricultural expansion and new projects in the Western Desert.

VOICES OF OUR EXPERTS

Following our students’ contributions, four CIHEAM Zaragoza specialists shared their insights on the challenges facing Mediterranean food systems.

Joaquín Balduque, administrator of Plant Production, Health and Breeding, spoke about the crucial role of legumes in global food security, noting their nutritional value and environmental benefits through nitrogen fixation, soil fertility improvement, reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers and reduction of GHG emissions. He also referred to research within the Horizon Europe project BELIS, which supports the legume breeding industry and promotes sustainability.

Bernardo Basurco, administrator of Fisheries and Aquaculture, discussed the importance of fisheries and aquaculture, recalling that fish is one of the main components of the Mediterranean diet as well as an important part of the global food trade. He described the Master in Sustainable Fisheries Management and the Master in Marine Aquaculture, as well as the advanced course for professionals organised with the FAO on transitioning towards more sustainable aquatic value chains. He also highlighted the European project NewTechAqua focused on developing new technologies, tools and strategies for a more sustainable, resilient and innovative aquaculture.

Ramzi Belkhodja, head of Training, reflected upon the importance of olive production as a symbol of Mediterranean identity. He highlighted the role of the Master in Olive Culture and Oil Technology in advancing knowledge of a crop that embodies the region’s shared heritage and common challenges. He also acknowledged the Institute’s close collaboration with the International Olive Council, affirming how investment in outreach, product quality and cooperation ensures that the voice of the olive is heard in all the languages of the Mediterranean.

Finally, Antonio López-Francos, administrator of Cooperative Research Projects and Networks, presented livestock production as an essential pillar of Mediterranean farming, providing products such as lamb and dairy produce. He spoke about the Master in Animal Nutrition and the Master in Animal Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology), the Institute’s annual programme of advanced courses and research networks promoting sustainable Mediterranean livestock systems. He also referred to innovation projects such as Re-Livestock and Pastinnova, explaining how the Institute is addressing the challenges of livestock production sustainability in the Mediterranean as well as highlighting the positive role of extensive livestock farming in supporting the rural economy and the environment.

A special guest at the event was Ana Marcén, rural entrepreneur and singer-songwriter who shared her personal experience in agricultural management and leadership, and delighted participants with a musical performance. 

The celebration concluded with a networking buffet featuring a selection of Mediterranean food products.

World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16 October, established by the FAO in 1979. The day highlights the global commitment to ensuring universal access to safe, nutritional and sustainable food, and to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against hunger and climate change.