The side event aims to advance the debate regarding healthy food environments and their challenges in urban contexts. Taking into account the crucial role that food systems play in the prevention and control of all forms of malnutrition, this side event will discuss how countries are organizing their policies to integrate the health and nutrition agenda with the food production agenda, considering its physical, economic, political, social and cultural aspects.

The side event will reinforce the importance of short circuits of production, supply and consumption; discuss measures to influence food choices, what kind of food is available for purchase and information on food; and address sanitary issues in large cities. Available evidence and data on the design of effective interventions and policies to improve food environments for better nutrition will be addressed as well. The side event aims to promote the exchange of experiences among countries, to identify gaps and challenges in public policies and to strengthen the commitment of different actors, with a view to enhancing food and nutrition security policies in large cities.