YPARD at the 8th Good Food Summit in Hangzhou, China

The 8th Good Food Summit was successfully held in Hangzhou from November 1 to 3, 2024, under the theme “Future Food Leads Future Cities.” Bringing together over 70 participants—including government officials, industry leaders, and experts—the event focused on how sustainable and healthy diets can drive the development of low-carbon, eco-friendly, and health-conscious urban environments.

Key Highlights: Insights from International Leaders, Government, and Academia

The Summit featured diverse perspectives from international experts, government representatives, and academic leaders, all emphasizing the transformative potential of sustainable food systems and diets.

Sustainable, healthy diets were highlighted as a cornerstone of global public health, with Francesco Branca, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the WHO, detailing their far-reaching benefits. Innovative technologies and cross-disciplinary collaboration were underscored by Brent Loken, Global Food Lead Scientist at WWF, who shared best practices for promoting sustainable dietary habits. The intersection of food systems and climate change was brought into focus by Lasse Bruun, Director for Climate and Food at the UN Foundation, who advocated for dietary reforms that integrate climate considerations to drive comprehensive progress.

On the governmental front, the urgency of dietary transformation to address sustainability challenges took center stage. Yu Kangzhen, former Vice Minister of MARA in China, expressed hope that the summit would catalyze meaningful progress in advancing China’s food systems toward sustainability. His remarks reflected the critical role of national leadership in shaping the future of food systems.

Academia contributed valuable evidence-based insights into creating sustainable dietary solutions. The importance of region-specific dietary policies was emphasized by Fan Shenggen, former Director of the International Food Policy Research Institute, who called for enhanced food self-sufficiency, better resource utilization, and reduced waste. A holistic approach to food production, distribution, and consumption was championed by Walter C. Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He pointed to plant-based diets and reduced food waste as practical, impactful strategies for improving global health. Chen Zhigang, International Dean at Zhejiang University’s China Rural Development Research Institute, turned attention to urban dietary challenges in China, advocating for improved dietary education and an optimized food supply system to foster healthier eating habits in cities.

By weaving together international, governmental, and academic perspectives, the summit underscored the interconnected nature of food system challenges and the collaborative efforts required to achieve meaningful change. (Note: This summary includes only selected speakers and contributions due to space constraints.)
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YPARD’s Role and Engagement

For the first time, YPARD joined the Good Food Summit as one of its three key supporting organizations, alongside renowned partners such as Slow Food, Compassion in World Farming, and the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation. YPARD played a pivotal role by bringing a youth-focused perspective to the discussions, emphasizing the significance of empowering young professionals to lead the shift toward sustainable, healthy, and climate-friendly diets.

In collaboration with the Good Food Fund and other partner organizations, YPARD actively championed intergenerational cooperation and innovative solutions for sustainable food systems. This engagement aligns with YPARD’s mission to empower youth in shaping future food systems and cities. Looking forward, YPARD is eager to deepen its partnerships to continue driving progress in sustainable food systems and urban development.
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Beyond Keynotes: Broader Summit Activities

The summit also featured a range of social and cultural activities that enriched the conversations, fostering collaboration and building stronger connections among participants and organizations. These activities provided a platform for attendees to exchange ideas and create synergies that extended beyond the formal sessions.

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