Innovative financial mechanisms to support the transformation of urban agrifood systems
Integrating agrifood systems within the urban development agenda
As urban populations continue to grow, the challenges of ensuring food security, improved nutrition, biodiversity, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability across urban and rural areas are becoming increasingly urgent.
The United Nations highlighted cities and local governments' essential role in transforming agrifood systems at the 2021 Food Systems Summit and the 2023 Stocktaking Moment. Urban agrifood systems and healthy diets were central themes in FAO’s 2023 “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.” The 2023 Washington Declaration from the 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests also underscored the need for equitable distribution of urban nature’s benefits. In 2024, the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE‑FSN) Report further emphasizes the importance of strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems for food security and nutrition.
Many local and regional governments are incorporating green infrastructure and food systems into their policies and actions. However, cities and local governments often lack sufficient support and recognition at global and national levels, and agrifood systems issues are frequently siloed from environmental, health, and urban development portfolios.
In response to these priorities, FAO, UN-HABITAT, and ICLEI have organized a Networking Event during the next World Urban Forum (WUF), the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization, which brings together stakeholders from across sectors. This event will explore innovative financial mechanisms for embedding urban agrifood systems within urban development agendas. Building on the momentum from the recent Urban Agrifood Systems Global Workshop, held at FAO Headquarters this September, the WUF event will leverage workshop outcomes to link urban agrifood systems with sustainable urban development goals.
Moderator
- Simone Borelli, Forestry Officer, FAO
Speakers
- Abdulhakim Elwaer, Assistant Director General, Regional Representative, FAO
- Omar Abdeen, Advisor to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Egypt
- Raf Tuts, Director, Global Solutions Division, UN-HABITAT
- Peter Defranceschi, Director, Global CityFood Program, ICLEI CityFood Network
- Cecilia Marocchino, Urban Agrifood Systems Expert, FAO
- Stephan Atchia, Manager of the Urban Development Division, African Development Bank
- Papa Sy, Global Lead, Urban Development, Islamic Development Bank
- Mohamed Bakarr, Manager, Integration and Knowledge Management Division, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
- Mona Azouz, Deputy Director, Urban Training and Studies Institute - Egypt
- Ruth Okowa, Kenya Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)