The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly in Asia and the Pacific is a strategic, youth-led platform dedicated to identifying, prioritizing and addressing the unique challenges within the region's diverse agrifood systems. Our mission is to empower young people as key stakeholders in agrifood systems transformation, ensuring their voices are central to regional policymaking processes.

For the 2026-–2027 biennium, the Assembly’s work follows a logical progression from regional advocacy to targeted policy analysis. This process begins with a comprehensive consultative phase, including subregional dialogues and a survey in English and Chinese, to formulate Regional Youth Recommendations to be presented at the  Asia-Pacific Food Forum. Following the conference, this foundational advocacy will transition into a strategic phase of policy mapping and case study synthesis. This evolution ensures that youth-led recommendations are not only heard but also supported by rigorous analysis to facilitate their practical integration into institutional frameworks.

Our efforts remain aligned with the regional priorities of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, focusing on agrifood systems transformation; climate action, biodiversity and natural resources management; inclusive and equitable rural development; and building sustainable, resilient agrifood systems in the Pacific  Small Island Developing States.

Timeline

Previous engagements

• 2021: Launching the Youth Action Compendium 
  In 2021, the Youth Assembly launched the Youth Action Compendium, highlighting youth demands in agrifood systems with a focus on FAO’s four betters: better production, better butrition, a better environment and a better life.

• 2022: Laying the foundation 
  In 2022, the Asia and the Pacific region initiated the development of its Youth Action Regional Compendium, analyzing over 30 youth-led documents and holding virtual consultations and surveys. Key policy priority areas for the region included supporting smallholders, promoting sustainable agrifood systems and advocating for inclusive policies.

• 2023: Identifying challenges and calls to action
  In 2023, the Asia and the Pacific region focused on transforming agrifood systems to promote healthy and sustainable food. Key challenges addressed included the high cost of healthy food and lack of awareness, with ongoing consultations and action plans to improve access to nutritious food and sustainable practices.

• 2024: Narrowing the focus
  In 2024, efforts continued to refine strategies for improving access to nutritious food and advancing sustainable practices, setting the stage for the stage for the Global Youth Action Plan (GYAP) 2025-2026.

• 2025: Implementing the GYAP
  In the GYAP, the Asia and the Pacific region identified two major action items that focused on increased awareness and knowledge on better nutrition and skill development for sustainable food production. In 2025, the focus turned to manifesting these items through capacity building workshops, nutrition labelling workshops, and engagement with institutions and youth networks.

• 2026: Youth empowerment in the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific
  Going into 2026, efforts focused on preparing a consultative process in the lead up to the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.

Key regional documents