From October 13 to 17, Milan will host the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Global Forum, the most important international event dedicated to urban food policies. It will bring together more than 500 delegates from 95 different countries and over 330 global cities, signatories of the Milan Pact first launched 10 years ago during Expo 2015. 

The forum will address topics that are increasingly central to city policies: sustainable diets and nutrition, health, access to healthy food, global and local food production, short supply chains and urban agriculture, food supply and distribution, the fight against food waste and poverty; school meals, and much more. 

The MUFPP Global Forum 2025 is promoted by the City of Milan – Food Policy Office, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and Fondazione Cariplo, in collaboration with the University of Milan and YesMilano, with contributions from A2A and the support of Fondazione Snam, NOP-NOP, Orto di Jack, SEA, and many other partners and sponsors. 

This 2025 edition coincides with the World Food Day, celebrated on October 16, and with the 10th anniversary of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, which was signed in Milan on October 15, 2015, and presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at Expo the following day. 

The five-day event will be an opportunity to share achievements and look toward the future — defining strategies to guide the next decade toward healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive food systems.  

During the Forum — a true global lab where participants can exchange ideas, build alliances, and share best practices — more than 500 delegates from around the world will participate, representing cities, regional and international organizations, academia and city networks such as FAO, WFP, UNEP, European Commission, ASEAN, Mercociudades, World Bank, African Union, Eurocities, C40, ICLEI, and many others. 

The Program of the MUFPP Global Forum 

A week full of meetings and exchanges hosted in several key locations across Milan. 

• Four plenary sessions dedicated to the current and future commitments of the MUFPP, and one focused on presenting the School Meals Coalition — a global alliance of over 110 countries committed, in synergy with their cities, to developing school meal programs that ensure at least one healthy and sustainable daily meal for all children. 
  The Milan Pact, through the Cities Feeding the Future Initiative, supports cities worldwide in achieving these goals. 
  
  The first plenary session will be opened by Milan’s Mayor Giuseppe Sala and University of Milan Rector Marina Brambilla, followed by keynote speeches from Jane Bettersby, professor at the University of Cape Town and expert in food systems, and Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food. 
  A roundtable discussion will follow, featuring Stefano Gatti, Director General for International Development Cooperation and Special Envoy for Food Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Chair of the UN Committee on World Food Security, and several mayors of Pact member cities. 

• Twelve parallel sessions will address diverse topics such as food waste reduction, wholesale and farmers’ markets, public procurement, climate change, youth and women’s leadership, agroecology, the role of private stakeholders and businesses in urban food policies, city–rural food system sustainability, and food policy impact measurement. 

• Six regional sessions will focus on the specific challenges and goals of different continental areas to define priorities for the next decade. 

• Nine study visits will explore key sites in Milan’s food system

• Eighteen side events, including presentations of four European projects partnered with the MUFPP: AfriFOODlinks, Cleverfood, Cultivate, and School Food 4 Change. 
  
  Go to the full programme

Venues and Highlights 

The 2025 Global Forum will take place in several of Milan’s most iconic locations. The main venue will be the University of Milan, with events held at Via Festa del Perdono and Via Conservatorio, and also at symbolic places of Milan’s cultural, political, and economic life such as Palazzo Reale, the city hall “Palazzo Marino” and Assolombarda. 

One of the key moments of the Global Forum will be the Milan Pact Awards 2025 Ceremony: the most prestigious international prize for urban food policies. Launched in 2016 by the City of Milan and Fondazione Cariplo, the awards honor best practices in six Pact categories: governance, healthy and sustainable diets, social and economic equity, food production, food supply and distribution, and food waste reduction. 

Field Visits and Local Experiences 

International delegates will have the chance to visit important sites and infrastructures that are central to Milan’s food and circular economy system — from the SoGeMi fresh food Wholesale Market to food aid hubs, from Milano Ristorazione’s central kitchens to urban farms, from the Nosedo wastewater treatment plant to A2A’s organic waste treatment facility in Giussago-Lacchiarella. 

Sharing Meals, Inspiring Change

During coffee breaks and lunches, participants will taste products from Milan’s local farms (such as yogurt, fruit juices, honey, and jams) and recipes from Milano Ristorazione, the municipal company that manages school catering service for local pupils. This way, participants will have the chance to experience the taste of Milan’s school meals programme. 
On October 16, World Food Day, a special lunch will celebrate the Champion Mayors of the Cities Feeding the Future Initiative — mayors who have made outstanding efforts to improve and expand school meal programs in their cities, inspiring others in the Milan Pact network. 

“The tenth anniversary brings the Global Forum back to Milan and allows us to share our commitment to transforming urban food systems with the entire community,” – said Deputy Mayor Anna Scavuzzo, responsible for Food Policy – “This is not just a project, but a true urban policy shared with the whole city, where everyone plays an active role. There are no spectators — every partner is part of the commitment to build a sustainable, inclusive, fair, and healthy food policy.” 

“The partnership between Fondazione Cariplo and the City of Milan is a virtuous example of shared governance that combines local engagement, innovation, and resilience,” said Carlo Mango, Director of the Scientific Area and Vice Chief Philanthropic Officer of Fondazione Cariplo.  “The tenth anniversary of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact is not only a celebration but also a renewed commitment to ever more effective and inclusive urban food policies.” 

“Cities are where many of the main development challenges — and solutions — meet,” added Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. “That’s why we consider working with cities not only relevant but strategic. We are proud to support the Milan Pact and to contribute to building healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable urban food systems.” 

“With the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, Milan confirms its role as a global hub for dialogue on urban food systems,” said Marina Brambilla, Rector of the University of Milan.  “The city welcomes the world, connecting universities, research institutions, associations, businesses, and civil society — an ecosystem of innovation that deeply enriches Milan.” 

“Environmental challenges, resource conservation, and responsibility toward future generations are the great themes of our time,” added Giovanni Comboni, Vice President of A2A. “Food, as a primary good, has far-reaching economic and ethical implications. Supporting sustainability-oriented food models can create positive outcomes for both communities and the environment.” 

Full program and more information 

Available on the official website: mufppglobalforum2025.org 

All partners and supporters of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Global Forum 2025 

Abbazia e Mulino di Chiaravalle, ACRA, ActionAid, Agroecology Fund, Assolombarda, Azioneterre, C40, Cascina Campazzo, Cascina Cuccagna, CGIAR, Cities Feeding the Future, CNCA – Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, ComidaDoAmanha, Comune di Bergamo, Cornell University, COOPI, Clever Food, Cultivate, EAT, Embrapa, Està, Sally EY Doberman, Eurocities, FAO, Fondazione Veronesi, Fondazione IBVA – Solidando, Food Alert, GAIN, GreenMediaLab, Hivos, ICLEI, Lendlease, Let’s Food, LILT, Manitese, Milano Ristorazione, MIND, MM, NRDC, Opendot, Palazzo Reale, Piccolo Teatro, Principia, Red de Municipios por la Agroecología, Rikolto, RUAF, SISAN (MDS – Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome), Sogemi, Slow Food, The World Bank, UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme, Urban Agenda for the EU, Wageningen University and Research, World Farmers Market Coalition, World Food Programme, World Resources Institute, World Union of Wholesale Markets.