WHEN: Tuesday, 14 September 2021 | TIME: 9:30-11:00 AM (BANGKOK TIME) I REGISTER HERE
Background
The EU-funded SWITCH-Asia programme aims at promoting sustainable development which contributes the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and a more circular economy. The SWITCH-Asia Regional Policy Advocacy Component (RPAC), implemented by United Nations Environment Programme, is designed to strengthen the dialogue at regional, sub-regional and national policies on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and thereby contributing to green growth and reduction of poverty in Asia.
Food system refers to the constellation of activities involved in producing, processing, transporting and consuming food, which touch every aspect of human existence. During the Pre- Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit, held from 26-28 July 2021 in Rome in a hybrid format with virtual platforms, more than 100 countries came together over the course of three-days to discuss how they will transform their national food systems to drive progress against the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, among which shifting to sustainable consumption patterns is one of key action tracks highlighted, after an extensive process of engagement and dialogues seeking new ideas and evidence-based solutions. Sustainable food systems and healthy nontoxic foods are also linked to the human right to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
In Asia, increasing food consumption by a growing population, together with changing dietary habits, poses an immense challenge for the global food system and is associated with environmental impacts, such as plastics and packaging, increasing use of harmful chemicals to increase production, and increasing food wastage. Shifting to more sustainable food consumption patterns would greatly contribute to food systems transition in the context of Asia towards a sustainable, equitable, resilient and nutritious food system. This online dialogue is designed based on the concept of Farm-to-Fork with a focus on sustainable food consumption. The event is organized by the SWITCH-Asia RPAC in partnership with Asian Institute of Technology.
Objectives
- To increase understandings of the current state and challenges of sustainable food consumption in Asia through policies and case studies,
- To foster awareness on significance of the food consumption through updates from the UNFSSS and recognise the opportunities to promote sustainable food consumption in Asia
- To share government policies and showcase good practices and initiatives on promoting sustainable food consumption towards a sustainable food system.
