Pompeii, Italy – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, today inaugurated Sustainable Pompeii (Pompei Sostenibile) – a pioneering educational itinerary designed to connect the city’s archaeological heritage with the global effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
The launch event was held at the Auditorium of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, with the participation of Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director General of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
Learning from the past to build a sustainable future
The Sustainable Pompeii initiative transforms the ancient city into a living classroom. Fourteen key locations within the archaeological site – including houses, gardens, baths, and urban infrastructure – have been selected for their historical relevance and connection to core themes of sustainability: resource management, climate resilience, biodiversity, food systems, social inclusion, and innovation.
Each stop along the itinerary is linked to one or more SDGs and to FAO’s global mandate to eradicate hunger and ensure food security for all. Sites such as the House of the Orchard, House of the Silver Wedding, and Central Baths illustrate how the people of Pompeii lived in close harmony with their environment, applying techniques for water collection, urban gardening, and natural energy efficiency that still inspire contemporary practices.
Commenting on the initiative, FAO Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina said: “This initiative fully embodies one of FAO’s essential functions: to promote awareness and education on food security, sustainable agriculture, and social inclusion that leaves no one behind. It is a concrete example of how the wisdom of the past, in harmony with nature, can still guide us today towards a more equitable and sustainable future.”
“Pompeii, with its millennia-old history, still speaks to us today about how ancient societies faced challenges related to agriculture, natural resource management, and nutrition. Today, this site—which welcomes millions of visitors from around the world each year—also becomes a space for reflection and education on sustainability issues,” said Edmondo Cirielli, Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, speaking on the initiative. “The Sustainable Pompeii project shows how cultural heritage can become a living, tangible tool to raise awareness and engage citizens, communities and young people in the major goals of the 2030 Agenda.”
“Pompeii is deeply connected to the theme of sustainability, because it is now clear to everyone that sustainability is not just a technical matter—about solar panels or land use—but a question of responsibility towards humanity and future generations. It is, therefore, a humanistic, historical and social issue,” said Zuchtriegel in his remarks at the launch event. “That’s why we also included the project Sogno di volare, which involves local teenagers and children in a theatrical production that will be staged at the Grand Theatre of Pompeii on Saturday and Monday evenings. From this perspective, antiquity becomes a repository of human experience that can help us rethink our relationships and behaviours, and imagine a more desirable future.”
The new educational itinerary is accessible via the MyPompeii app, offering a multilingual, multimedia experience with interactive content in both Italian and English. Through historical storytelling, audio guides, videos, and SDG-linked insights, visitors are encouraged to reflect on how ancient solutions can inform modern strategies to tackle today’s global challenges – from climate change and food insecurity to sustainable urban planning.
Each of the 14 sites includes dedicated signage, QR codes, and clear branding, guiding users through the journey. Totems and panels have been installed to provide historical and educational content, with particular attention to accessibility and engagement for younger generations.
A launch that marks the road to World Food Day 2025
As part of the launch, students from local schools participated in the first guided visit of the itinerary alongside FAO experts. The event also marked the beginning of a wider campaign leading to World Food Day 2025.
Sustainable Pompeii is not just a temporary exhibition – it is a permanent educational itinerary, physically integrated into the archaeological site and digitally accessible worldwide. As a legacy of the partnership between FAO and the Archaeological Park, it represents a shared commitment to mobilize cultural heritage in support of sustainable development, equity, and innovation.
Through this collaboration, FAO and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii reaffirm their commitment to building a better future by connecting people, nature and culture. By learning from the past, Sustainable Pompeii offers a powerful reminder that sustainable development is not only about innovation, but also about rediscovering and valuing the wisdom that history has preserved.
