The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility of food systems in the Asia and Pacific region. International food prices have been rising since May 2020, recording 12 consecutive monthly rises since September 2011, bringing the Index only 7.6 percent below its peak value in February 2011. From the onset of the pandemic, many governments moved swiftly to keep agricultural supply chains functioning, including designating agriculture and food as an essential sector. While OECD countries were generally successful in maintaining the overall functioning of food supply chains, food insecurity risk increased in ADB’s developing member countries with estimates indicating the increase and prevalence of undernourishment in Asia from 7.9% to 9% between 2019 and 2020. Data also suggests that 42% of the population in the region cannot afford healthy diets.

In Asia-Pacific, COVID-19 impacts and challenges translate into public health concerns, high environmental pressures and greenhouse gas emissions, persistent malnutrition, and growing inequality in food access. Overweight and obesity among adults and children are rapidly rising in Asia and the Pacific than in any other region.

Part of the #ADBSustainableFood Webinar Series, the webinar discussed the challenges and desirable policy responses to ensure food security in Asia and the Pacific amidst the pandemic through food systems transformation. These discussions support knowledge exchange between and among ADB and OECD experts, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. The discussion clarified the major regional policy agenda to be discussed in the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021.

This learning event is part of the ADB Sustainable Food Webinar Series that offers a platform to discuss, share knowledge and experiences, and find out solutions and best practices that can help developing members countries build sustainable and resilient food systems and enable them to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and future disruptions.