Asia-Pacific countries gather in Bangkok to accelerate food systems transformation toward 2030

Governments, partners, and stakeholders from across Asia and the Pacific convened in Bangkok for the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Transformation Meeting, part of the 2026 Food Systems Transformation Meetings convened by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

With five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, participants focused on accelerating implementation of country-led national food systems pathways – connecting food systems action with climate resilience, nutrition, livelihoods, and nature outcomes.

Across the region, 30 countries have developed national food systems pathways, with several updating their priorities since UNFSS+2 to reflect emerging challenges and investment opportunities.

Meeting purpose and focus

The meeting enabled peer-to-peer learning on post-UNFSS+4 progress and priorities, strengthened collaboration among countries and partners, promoted scalable solutions, and supported country-level implementation and investment aligned with national pathways and the SDGs.

Discussions were anchored in the UN Secretary-General’s UNFSS+4 Call to Action priorities, including: urgent delivery in fragile settings; policy coherence and coordination; finance and investment; integrated solutions; science and innovation (including digital and AI-enabled tools); and intergenerational collaboration with youth as co-leaders.

Over two days, sessions examined how pathways are being embedded into national planning systems, aligned with Nationally Determined Contributions and development frameworks, translated into bankable investment pipelines, and supported by a more cosherent regional ecosystem of support.

Quotes

Stefanos Fotiou, Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub:
“Since 2021, this regional gathering has become our shared platform for continuity, accountability, and momentum. National Food Systems Pathways are dynamic, living frameworks—not static documents – and we are now moving deeper into practical delivery and scaling.”

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, UNESCAP:
“Climate action, food systems transformation, education reform, digital transformation, and social protection must move together – this is an integrated agenda. Transforming agriculture alone is not enough; connected, cross-sectoral work and networks are essential to drive real change.”

Alue Dohong, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific:
“We need inclusive, investment-ready actions that strengthen collaboration across all sectors. The world ahead is increasingly complex, and only coordinated action will help us navigate it.”

Phommy Inthichack, National Food Systems Convenor of Lao PDR and Deputy Director General, Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment:
“Since the 2021 Summit, we have treated our national pathway as a living framework, not just a document on a shelf. We are moving from high-level commitments to concrete action on the ground.”

Representative of the National Food Systems Convener of Fiji:
“Food systems transformation is not a standalone agenda. It is the connective tissue that binds our climate, biodiversity, and development commitments together.”

Key outcomes

Participants advanced work towards:

• a regional outcome document aligned with the Call to Action and regional agendas
• partnership commitments for financing, innovation, and policy support
• shared learning on replicable country experiences and investment approaches

Media contact
Rathana Peou Norbert Munns
Senior Agrifood Systems Policy Expert
UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
[email protected]

Resources:

• Meeting agenda
• Concept Note
• Photos