City experiences integrating food systems into urban strategies for SDG acceleration showcased at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development

The integration of food systems into urban planning and policies was the focus of a side event held during the 2026 Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok, Thailand.

The session, “Feeding the Future: Integrated Food Systems for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” was organized by the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Rikolto and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.

Asia and the Pacific is the world’s most populous urban region, with more than 2.2 billion urban residents - a number projected to increase by 50 percent by 2050. This rapid urbanization is reshaping food systems by changing demand, dietary patterns and supply chains, while increasing pressure on natural resources, ecosystems and public health systems.

At the same time, significant food security and nutrition challenges persist and climate-related shocks, including floods, droughts and storms further threaten food availability and livelihoods across the region. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires rethinking food systems through integrated city-region approaches. Linking food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management with urban planning processes such as land use, infrastructure development and environmental management can help cities deliver greener, healthier and more resilient outcomes.

Opening the discussion, Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and FAO’s Office of Sustainable Development Goals, emphasized the role of cities as entry points for delivering integrated food systems solutions, “through public food procurement, school meals programmes, nutrition policies, food waste reduction initiatives, and strengthened urban–rural linkages, cities can advance SDG 11 while accelerating broader food systems transformation. City networks and multi-level partnerships provide essential co-governance structures for translating national ambitions into locally driven, scalable action.”

Setting the regional context, Maria Antonia Tuazon, Senior Nutrition and Agrifood Systems Specialist at FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, presented key findings from the Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2025. While the region has made progress in reducing hunger, around 285 million people remain undernourished and nearly one billion experience moderate or severe food insecurity. In addition, almost 1.2 billion people in the region cannot afford a healthy diet. Improving access to healthy diets requires targeted action: policies that promote diversified food production, stronger and more inclusive markets for nutritious foods, and social protection programmes that support those most at risk.

Urban governance was identified as a critical entry point for advancing these efforts.  Rathana Peou Norbert-Munns, Regional Focal Point for the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in Asia and the Pacific, presented insights from an analysis of national food systems pathways from the region. This analysis revealed an “urban-blind spot”, with urban food systems rarely addressed explicitly and city-level governance tools underdeveloped.

At the same time, emerging experiences across the region show how cities can advance food systems transformation objectives:

Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, presented the cities integrated food systems policy, which aims to make Bangkok “a city of food with sustainability, equity and quality for all.” Initiatives include:

• urban farming programmes that provide seeds, supplies and training to communities;
• local farmers markets that strengthen food distribution together enhanced operations systems for food banks and school meal programmes;
• certification schemes for safe and environmentally friendly food establishments;
• and waste separation initiatives targeting major food waste sources.

The initiatives provide a clear demonstration of how municipal policies can strengthen food access, reduce waste and support livelihoods while improving environmental outcomes.

Another example came from Suryo Wiyono, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at IPB University, Indonesia, who presented a circular urban agriculture model implemented in Depok City. The initiative transforms organic waste into compost and bio-inputs for local food production, helping cool urban areas through increased vegetation while improving soil health and food availability. The model engages local communities with the result of strengthening social cohesion and providing new income opportunities, illustrating how urban agriculture can contribute to both climate resilience and food security.

Reflecting on the discussion, Raja Asvanon, Research Associate at SEI and moderator of the session noted that the experiences shared illustrate how cities across the region are already piloting practical solutions that link food systems with urban development, climate resilience and public health. Strengthening knowledge exchange and partnerships between cities, national governments and international partners will be key to scaling these approaches.