Bangkok Governor Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt participated in the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) Global Forum held at the University of Milan, Milan, Italy. He was accompanied by Mr. Pimuk Simaroj, Secretary to the Governor of Bangkok, and Mr. Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and Advisor to Governor of Bangkok. The theme of this year’s forum is “Building on a Decade of Joint Success: Envisioning the Future of Urban Food Systems”, aiming to provide a platform for MUFPP signatory cities from around the world to exchange approaches for developing sustainable and equitable urban food systems.

Governor Chadchart joined the Political Debate alongside the following global city leaders: Mr. Maher Canawati, Mayor of Bethlehem, Palestine, Ms. Anna Scavuzzo, Vice Mayor of Milan, Italy, Ms. Audrey Pulvar, Deputy Mayor of Paris, France and Mr. Manuel de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique.

Governor Chadchart shared Bangkok’s concrete experiences in advancing urban food policy, beginning with efforts to support the homeless population during the post-COVID-19 period by establishing takeaway food distribution points. This initiative led to the formation of a Special Team, integrating various BMA agencies working on food policy. Mr. Pornprom Vikitsreth, Advisor to the Governor, represented the Governor in this working group.

The second key approach was the development of a strategic framework through the implementation of the Bangkok Food Policy 2023–2027, under the vision: “Bangkok is the City of Food with Sustainability, Equity, and Quality for All.”

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) also promoted cross-sectoral collaboration (Synergy) among government agencies, private sector, and civil society. A prominent example is the BKK Food Bank Center, which operates without utilizing BMA’s budget, but rather through partnerships and support from various networks, reflecting public trust and the power of social participation.

At the end of his remarks, Governor Chadchart delivered a key statement to the forum: “Bangkok does not aim to be the smartest city in the world, but would like to be known as a sharing city where there is enough food for everyone.”

Additionally, Bangkok received the Special Mention Award from the Milan Pact Awards (MPA) in the category of Social and Economic Equity, in recognition of its school breakfast and lunch program in the BMA Affiliated Schools, which plays a significant role in reducing nutritional inequality among students.

The MPA is held in conjunction with the MUFPP Global Forum to recognize cities with outstanding achievements in six areas of the Urban Food Policy Framework: Governance, Sustainable Diets and Nutrition, Social and Economic Equity, Food Production, Food Supply and Distribution and Food Waste.