Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, where 70 percent of food consumption takes place. Cities consume almost 80 percent of the total energy produced in the world while producing 70 percent of the global waste. Growing populations, economic slowdown, and climate change are putting tremendous pressure on the natural, physical, and social resources of cities in developing countries and their ability to sustainably feed their citizens. Local administrations face ever-increasing challenges in ensuring access to healthy, nutritious and affordable diets for all, promoting food safety in urban food outlets and preventing, reducing and managing food waste. However, local governments often do not have sufficient technical and financial capacity to address these food systems gaps.
Session themes:
- Innovative solutions to promote the engagement of local governments in achieving sustainable urban food systems transformation.
- How to connect national and local decision-makers in realizing the food systems transformation agenda to increase the impact of policies.
- Spotlight on the catalysing effect of localized finance and investment in healthy and prosperous societies.