Director-General inaugurates second phase of FAO-Circo Massimo metro station installation in Rome
Figure: ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today inaugurated the second phase of the FAO-Circo Massimo metro station installation in Rome, together with Stefano Gatti, Director-General for Development Cooperation at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and Rome’s Mobility Councillor Eugenio Patanè.
During the inauguration, the Director-General emphasized the importance of bringing food and agriculture subjects closer to the public, as well as the value of connecting traditional agrifood systems with innovation and modern approaches.
“This space celebrates all those who work across global agrifood systems, highlighting how food security is the core mandate of FAO and deeply connected to livelihoods, traditions and cultures,” Qu said. “It showcases FAO’s Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. These are not just concepts – they are a call to deliveries.”
Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, the Director-General noted that Italy’s agrifood heritage demonstrates the close connection between people, land and food, and how traditional systems can continue to evolve while contributing to more sustainable agrifood systems. He also underscored how relatively small investments can generate long-lasting impacts for people, communities and agrifood systems.
Echoing the importance of public engagement, Stefano Gatti underscored the growing prominence of food and agrifood systems within international cooperation and foreign policy.
For his part, Patanè said: “I would like to thank FAO for completing the second phase of this project, which has modernized and enhanced the Circo Massimo station on Rome’s Metro Line B. Combining mobility and art to improve spaces that were once considered non-places is part of a broader effort that we are also carrying forward across the city’s transport network. Beauty improves travel experience and contributes to a better quality of life. We will continue working to make all stations more attractive, functional and accessible.”
An interactive journey through the Four Betters
The new installation is built around the “Four Betters + 1” concept, which places the public at the centre of the experience through the message “Better starts with you”.
New features include eight themed columns dedicated to the Four Betters, dynamic bilingual content displayed on digital screens, customized turnstiles and a redesigned staircase leading towards FAO headquarters and the FAO Museum and Network (MuNe).
The content displayed throughout the station also highlights FAO initiatives, including the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 and the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
The initiative forms part of the FAO–ATAC Implementation Agreement signed in May 2025 within a broader collaboration involving Roma Capitale and Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
First inaugurated during the 44th Session of the FAO Conference and the launch of the Organization’s 80th anniversary celebrations, the project continues to raise public awareness of FAO’s mandate and its efforts to transform agrifood systems, bringing issues of food security, nutrition and sustainability into one of Rome’s busiest public spaces.
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