Southeast Asia is a very diverse region in terms of societies, languages, cultures and geography – especially rich in it’s diversity in food cultures and production. Agriculture remains an important source of livelihood in the region, but rapid industrialisation and urbanisation is challenging the existing food supply chain and transforming the nutrition of the region. While household incomes have increased and local food shortages mitigated by modern intensive agriculture practices, the coexistence of “hidden hunger” and increasing rates of overweight and obesity indicates that the current food system is not nutrition-sensitive. Nutritious food becomes increasingly unaffordable, while the nutrition-insensitive global food trade and business models have at the same time encouraged and sustained unhealthy eating habits and changing norms of food cultures in the region. The extensification and intensification of food production across the value chain, the accompanying rise of food wastage, climate change and continued degradation of the environment will threaten the food system as a whole. Transforming the food system into one that is nutrition-sensitive, sustainable and equitable will require cooperation from all stakeholders across the food system. This dialogue is aimed at gathering research, thoughts and voices on policies and measures to facilitate the transformation by 2030.

In this dialogue we’re looking to encourage sharing of thoughts and discuss the policies, measures and actions in:

• securing a nutrition-sensitive, sustainable food production, including strengthening local area food production, development of traditional and alternative foods.
• building a resilient & sustainable food supply chain, while ensuring sustainable livelihoods. 
• ensuring the accessibility and affordability of nutritious food.
• nutrition-sensitive capacity development for better nutritional outcomes, including exploring culturally-appropriate approaches.