📅 16 – 19 March 2026
Hybrid, ADB HQ, Manila, Philippines
The Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Transformation Forum 2026 will be held from 16–19 March 2026 in Manila, Philippines to advance ADB’s $40 billion Food Systems Transformation commitment and bring together government leaders, global experts, development partners, private sector innovators, and civil society to shape a resilient and sustainable food future for the region. With the theme, “Feeding the Future, Sustaining the Planet,” the Forum will address the urgent need to transform agri-food systems amid escalating climate risks, water stress, biodiversity loss, and rising food insecurity.
The four-day event will feature high-level plenaries, regional dialogues, technical sessions, and innovation showcases that highlight integrated approaches linking climate action, nature-positive solutions, food and water security, and rural revitalization. ADB’s flagship programs—including Sustainable Rice Farming, Glacier-to-Farms, Source-to-Sea resilient river basins, Mountains-to-Delta, Nutrition, and the Pacific Agri-Food Investment Platform—will be featured prominently, together with key partnership announcements and the launch of new regional initiatives. Emerging digital, data-driven, and AI-enabled solutions will also be spotlighted as scalable pathways to strengthen productivity and climate resilience.
Participants will engage in thematic sessions, natural capital dialogues, nutrition fair activities, and a dynamic marketplace showcasing cutting-edge technologies, research, and investment opportunities. By strengthening collaboration, mobilizing finance, and aligning regional priorities, the Forum aims to accelerate the transition toward climate-resilient, inclusive, and nature-positive food systems. The event’s outcomes will guide forward programs, deepen partnerships, and support regional discussions leading into the ADB Annual Meeting in May 2026.
Objectives
The Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Transformation Forum 2026 aims to:
- Strengthen partnerships with leading global innovation and research institutions;
- Enhance alignment between climate, food security, and natural capital financing;
- Highlight natural capital approaches for food system investments;
- Share approaches to scale digital, data-driven, and AI-enabled solutions; and
- Confirm forward programs with country policymakers on priorities for agri-food systems transformation.
Target participants
- ADB’s developing member countries’ government representatives, ADB executing and implementing agencies involved in agriculture, food, nature and rural development
- Private sector organizations and civil society organizations on sustainable and resilient food systems transformation
- Development partners, including multilateral development banks, multilateral and bilateral donors and UN agencies
- Academia, think-tanks, and centers of excellence
- ADB staff and consultants working across all operational sectors on food systems
Costs
Participation to the forum is free. However, participants who are interested in joining as onsite participants will have to pay for their own travel, accommodation, and other arrangements to attend the event in Manila, Philippines.
