Young Leaders Convene In Bangkok To Drive Global Food Systems Reform
Global agrifood systems are at a critical juncture. Despite economic growth and reducing poverty over recent decades, far too many people still suffer from malnutrition and undernutrition, and rising obesity remains widespread. At the same time, unsustainable agricultural practices are eroding natural resources and contributing to climate change. Urgent action to transform food systems is needed to ensure a healthier, more equitable, and environmentally sound future.
To address the issue more than 100 young changemakers from over 50 countries, gathered in Bangkok for a youth conference to raise their voices and shape global conversations ahead of the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), taking place July 27–29, 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where leaders will reflect on progress, strengthen collaboration, and unlock finance and investments to accelerate food systems transformation.
The gathering highlights how young professionals merge traditional knowledge with innovation to address food insecurity and climate change. From Nepal to Fiji, youth are leading sustainable, community-driven solutions.
'As global food systems remain dominated by the few, youth are challenging the status quo,' said Dr Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (the Hub). 'They are laying the groundwork for a more just and participatory model, where access to nutritious, sustainable food is not a privilege, but a guaranteed right for all.'
Robert Simpson, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, said that over the last few years, there have been multiple, overlapping and cascading crises — conflict, climate shocks, the pandemic, and natural disasters — all putting pressure on food systems.
'Asia and the Pacific hosts over 350 million undernourished and more than a billion food-insecure people,' he said. 'Youth are key to transforming food systems—with their energy and creativity, they can change how we produce, consume, and manage food and waste.'
Participants included graduates of the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) – a flagship initiative of the Hub designed to accelerate systems thinking and institutional change. With the vision and leadership of the Government of Germany, YLP supports changemakers from developing countries build their leadership skills. For example, in Thailand, youth are advocating for a national food bank, supporting farmers' return to sustainable practices, and transforming supply chains.
'As youth leaders actively shaping food systems in our own countries, we have much to learn from one another. We uncover new paths forward by sharing how we have tackled challenges, led policy engagement and collaborated with different stakeholders,' said Nantaporn Thirapongphaiboon, Associate Director at the Global Food Banking Network and YLP alumna.
Conference participants drew from insights gathered through six previously held virtual global youth consultations and showcased breakthrough, youth-led solutions that are transforming food systems worldwide. These discussions contribute to a Youth Declaration which will be released at UNFSS+4. The Declaration will call for more inclusive and participatory decision-making, highlighting the urgency for food systems transformation that will nourish people and the planet.
'The UN Food Systems Summits and the World Food Forum Youth Initiative exemplify how youth-led collaboration is reshaping the global food landscape. By empowering young leaders, we are planting the seeds of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems for generations to come,' said Kazuki Kitaoka, Director of the FAO Office of Youth and Women.
The outcomes of the Bangkok conference will directly inform UNFSS+4 and feed into broader efforts such as the WFF flagship event and COP30, amplifying youth voices across global policy platforms.
The conference was organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its World Food Forum Global Youth Action Initiative (WFF Youth Initiative) and key global youth leaders. Further, the design of the event was done with the insights from youth representatives of the Stakeholder Engagement and Networking Advisory Group of the Hub and the Youth Policy Board, a youth-led advisory body within the WFF Youth Initiative providing strategic input across its activities.
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