Abinader arrives in Rome for World Food Forum and Vatican visit

Rome, Italy.- Dominican President Luis Abinader arrived in Rome on Sunday, accompanied by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, to participate in the 2026 World Food Forum.

Abinader’s agenda includes meetings with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, as well as FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and other senior officials of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Dominican president will also participate as a featured speaker at the World Food Forum, where the Dominican Republic is expected to be recognized for reducing the prevalence of undernourishment to below 2.5% and advancing toward the goal of Zero Hunger.

During his stay in Rome, Abinader will participate in the inauguration of the Dominican Republic Hall at FAO headquarters and present the FAO Museum with a work by Dominican artist Juan Trinidad.

His agenda also includes meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, as well as participation in the Italy-Dominican Republic Business Forum, which will focus on strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries.

On Tuesday, Abinader will travel to Prague, Czech Republic, to participate in the 30th Annual Forum 2000 Conference before returning to Rome for additional meetings.

The president will conclude his European trip on Friday, October 16, when he is scheduled to participate in the closing of the World Food Forum. The event will include a tribute to Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra for his song “Ojalá que llueva café en el campo,” as well as a performance by Maridalia Hernández.

Abinader is scheduled to depart Rome for the Dominican Republic later that day.