On 18 August 2026, Ms. Suchada Maktara, Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs participated in the opening ceremony of ASEAN Capitals Urban Food Management Forum at the Sukosol Hotel Bangkok. The event was organized by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) with over 40 participants attending, including representatives from the capitals and embassies of ASEAN Member States, Udonthani City Manucipality, and international organisations. DDG Suchada highlighted effective food management in ASEAN urban area to ensure food security from regional to city levels, as targeted by ASEAN Community Vision 2045, ASEAN Economic Strategy Plan 2026 – 2030, and ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy. These contributions would not only ensure food security but also enhance energy efficiency and create momentum across ASEAN.

The forum discussed and shared best practices on pursuing effective urban food management, especially (1) food bank centers, (2) waste separations, (3) food education, (4) central kitchens, (5) urban farming, (6) direct producer-to-customer food distribution, (7) free milk for children initiatives, (8) food and gastronomy initiatives in promoting culinary heritage, gastronomy tourism and local food enterprise, (9) technical training, and (10) sustainable urban food system. These would allow cities in ASEAN to have sufficient food availability and enable the vulnerable group in those cities to sustainably access to healthy food and nutrition. The Forum adopted Bangkok Joint Statement on Urban Food Resilience 2026 and established the Informal Technical Exchange Network.