APFSD Side Event: 11th Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development
Wednesday, February 21, 11.30-12.45 
ESCAP Office - Theater
Bangkok, Thailand.

The UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2) in 2023 leveraged sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems as pivotal drivers for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report recognizes food systems as crucial transformers for sustainability across individuals, the environment, and economics. In the Asia-Pacific Region, progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) on climate action is regressing, posing challenges to environmental stability, economic growth, and human development. Climate change in the region affects vulnerable populations, smallholders, and contributes significantly to global emissions, putting vulnerable nations at risk.

The Convergence Initiative, developed by the Hub under the Partnership with the UAE COP28 Presidency, aims to synergize food systems transformation and climate action. It supports countries in realizing the Right to Food and a sustainable and resilient future. The initiative encourages national convergence processes, orientation sessions, resources, and guidance, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

The event will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing food systems transformation aligned with climate action, building on the outcomes of the UNFSS+2 STM, the SDGs Summit, and COP28. It will look into policy coherence and synergizing the food and climate commitments taken by national governments.

Aligned with the priorities to transform the region’s food systems from the 2023 Asia and the Pacific regional preparatory meeting that took place at APSD in March 2023, this event builds on the discussion to identify the key steps and considerations needed at the national and regional levels to transform food systems and align to climate action, whilst ensuring no one is left behind.

Furthermore, it will serve as a platform for government officials and the wider stakeholder ecosystem to spotlight the strides they've taken in this regard.