Introduction

In an increasingly urban world, cities are where innovative, routine and agile food systems transformations are taking place. No longer seen as end of the governance and value food chains, cities are thriving entry points for driving, locally meaningful and inclusive shifts in how we produce, distribute, consume and waste food. They are key to ‘’whole society’’ food systems governance needed to address local, regional and global challenges from food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss to socio-economic inequalities.

About the 2025 Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) Global Forum

Every 2 – 3 years, the Global Forum brings cities and partners together to learn, share urban food policy knowledge and best practices, network, and to expand and strengthen partnerships. 2025 marks 10 years since the MUFPP was established. The pact gives ‘cities a voice and provide them with a political and operational framework to act, learn, and collaborate’, towards the goal of sustainable food systems that are ‘inclusive, resilient, safe, and diverse.' There are now more than 300 signatory cities worldwide; and more than 600 transformative best practices have been developed and shared. Learn more about the Pact: The Milan Pact - Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. and about the Global Forum 2025.

As part of GAIN’s Nourishing Food Pathways Programme, GAIN has supported Arusha (Tanzania), Pemba (Mozambique), and Bogor (Indonesia) in strengthening their food systems.

GAIN is also sponsoring city government representatives from the two intermediary, signatory cities of Bogor (Indonesia) and Pemba (Mozambique) to participate in the Forum including in parallel sessions and in the Regional Asia Pacific Session. Other collaborations with MUFPP include: Food Action Cities platform; and Menu of Actions.

Awards

GAIN proudly joins representatives from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Cornell University, EAT Foundation, FAO, Fondazione CARIPLO, UN Human Rights Office of the High Commission, Università degli Studi di Milano, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), World Farmers Markets Coalition (WFMC) and World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM), in judging the high-quality, diverse and innovative best practice submissions from signatory cities to the MUFPP 2025 Awards. During the Global Forum, the Awards Ceremony, on the evening of 15 October 2025, will appreciate all cities and announce the winners – across the six MUFPP framework categories: Governance, Sustainable Diets and Nutrition, Social and Economic Equity, Food Production, Food Supply and Distribution, and Food Waste.

 

Agenda

Event 1
Title: Local Markets: Transforming Urban Food Systems Through Food Markets
Date: 15 October 2025
Time: 11:00 AM CET
Location: Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, Aula 113
 

Event 2
Title: Innovative Finance for Urban Fresh Food Markets: Resilient Cities and Healthy Diets
Date: 16 October 2025
Time: 9:30 AM CET
Location: Università Statale di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, Aula Magna
 

Event 3
Title: Value based Procurement -Assessing Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of Municipal Food Procurement Policies: The Role of Participatory Action Research
Date:16 October 2025
Time:11:30 AM CET
Location: Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, Aula Magna

Resources

Blog: Where Global Change Begins: Inside Food markets and the important role City Governments Play

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