Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition: HLPE Report #19

The HLPE-FSN launched the report “Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition, in the context of urbanization and rural transformation”. The report will be presented for discussion during the upcoming CFS 52 Plenary Session, marking the opening of the CFS policy convergence process that will develop a set of action oriented policy recommendations on this topic.   

This groundbreaking report sheds light on a shocking reality: 1.7 billion people living in urban and peri‑urban (U-PU) regions face food insecurity. This means over 3/4 of the world’s food insecure population are in these regions, which are also epicentres of multiple burdens of malnutrition. The report shows how U‑PU areas have a profound impact on food systems, influencing production, distribution and consumption patterns worldwide. 

The report calls for the development of equitable, accessible, sustainable and resilient food systems, for the realisation of the right to food. It also explores the challenges and opportunities within food system activities, governance issues, and the needed policy instruments for change. Emphasizing the need for multi-level governance and the importance of addressing structural inequalities, the report provides a comprehensive roadmap for creating more resilient food systems in urban and peri-urban areas.