Inclusive and sustainable urban food systems will be at the centre stage of the September 22th Virtual Event, organized on the occasion of the United Nations Food Systems Summit.

The virtual gathering is co-convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, in partnership with the Working Group on Urban Food Systems, recently established to foster global advocacy in support of a greater voice and role of urban, local and regional governments and all urban food systems actors.

The event will fall within the framework of the United Nations Food Systems Summit and will bring together urban, local, regional and national governments, representatives of UN agencies, and civil society, among others, to illustrate the importance of localizing action towards the achievement of sustainable and inclusive food systems.

The meeting also aims to highlight the crucial importance of partnerships amongst different spheres of government and stakeholders are crucial to support a sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and build an effective pathway towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

See more details on the Agenda HERE

The world is facing the huge challenge of improving food systems and guaranteeing healthy and nutritious food for all, especially considering the impact of the crises stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. An integrated approach to food systems is required to secure people’s access and right to food, guaranteeing social inclusion and prosperity, transforming our relationship with nature – boosting solidarity and setting people’s wellbeing and aspirations at the heart of improved food systems.

Local and regional governments have been at the forefront of the pandemic response, working to maintain and improve local public service provision, ensuring that people and the planet are duly protected and ensuring that food systems are inclusive and sustainable. 

However, despite the significance of urban, local and regional governments and sub-national (urban, local, regional) food systems, international recognition and presence of those in charge of governing those systems in the related multilateral processes remains limited. Moving towards the UN Food Systems Summit and beyond, it is key to secure a seat for local and regional governments within relevant decision-making spaces.