Empowering youth for a resilient food future: WFF Youth Assembly regional consultations
The 2nd United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27-29 July 2025. It aims to assess progress, strengthen accountability and mobilize investments toward sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems. In preparation for this event, the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly, in partnership with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (the Hub) Youth Leadership Program (YLP), is organizing a series of online regional Youth Assembly consultations. These sessions will provide a platform for young leaders worldwide to share insights, helping to identify and prioritize key challenges and opportunities in food systems transformation.
The regional consultations will discuss youth priorities spanning topics such as urban food systems, youth engagement and other critical components. The consultations will build on past youth commitments and shape the first draft of the Youth Declaration to be presented at the Preparatory Youth Conference for UNFSS+4 in Bangkok. Through interactive discussions, presentations and collaborative exchanges, young leaders will co-develop actionable strategies that address policy, finance and innovation gaps, ensuring that youth perspectives shape the future of food systems.
Regional consultations overview:
Europe and Central Asia
Date & Time: 15 March at 11:00 (CET)
This consultation will provide a platform for group discussions and presentations, focusing on key areas such as youth inclusion in decision-making, climate action and the role of education in raising awareness. Participants will explore innovative technological solutions and address the need for financial and capacity-building support to empower young professionals.
North America
Date & Time: 15 March at 17:00 (CET)
This consultation will take a systems-based approach to food security, malnutrition and climate resilience. Participants will explore food waste, circular economy solutions and policy incentives while highlighting the region’s leadership. Discussions will also focus on integrating food systems awareness into education and leveraging data-driven solutions to measure progress and ensure sustainability.
Africa
Date & Time: 18 March at 15:00 (CET)
This consultation brings young people together to shape sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient food systems. Building on progress since UN Food Systems Summit held in 2021 and integrating lessons from UNFSS+2, it will align with African policy frameworks (CAADP and the Malabo Declaration) to co-create a Youth Priorities Document for UNFSS+4. Through discussions and presentations, we will focus on youth leadership, bridging financial and data gaps, and promoting gender equality and rural inclusion.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Date & Time: 20 March at 17:00 (CET)
This consultation will bring young leaders together to address regional food system challenges. Topics will include youth inclusion, corporate and government accountability and the impact of climate change on food systems. The importance of funding mechanisms for youth-led initiatives and the transformative role of technology in food systems will be emphasized. Education will remain a central theme, with group work focused on equipping young people with the tools to drive meaningful change in food systems.
Near East and North Africa
Date & Time: 21 March at 15:00 (CET)
This consultation will explore the complexities of food sovereignty, agritech innovations and the intersection of climate change, conflict and food security. Group discussions and presentations will help identify sustainable financial mechanisms, youth-led solutions for advancing food security and the unique challenges faced by Indigenous and marginalized youth. With a focus on gender- responsive policies that empower youth, especially in crises, participants will collaborate to create a collective vision for resilient and self-sufficient food systems in the region.
Asia and the Pacific
Date & Time: 28 March at 11:30 (CET)
This consultation will focus on advancing climate-resilient agriculture, with an emphasis on climate-smart farming practices. Discussions will explore opportunities and challenges related to financial support, access to digital technologies and empowering young farmers and entrepreneurs. The importance of nutrition and food security, especially through healthy diets and school feeding programs, will also be highlighted. Fostering inclusivity and knowledge-sharing among youth leaders, policymakers and experts will strengthen regional collaboration and drive impactful solutions.
The insights and priorities gathered from the regional Youth Assembly consultations will shape the Youth Declaration for UNFSS+4, ensuring that youth-driven solutions and perspectives are integrated into global food systems discussions. Following these sessions, the zero draft of the Youth Declaration will be refined and presented at the Preparatory Youth Conference in Bangkok, where young leaders will have the opportunity to engage with policymakers, experts and stakeholders. These efforts will culminate in a final Youth Declaration at UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa, where youth voices will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems worldwide.
Make your voice count! Register now and help shape the future of food systems.
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