The Chair of the RLFSC Alliance, Giaime Berti, in collaboration with ICLEI, – the Global Network of Local Governments for Sustainability  spoke at Climate Chance Europe-Africa Summit 2025, within the session titled: “Enhancing urban-rural linkages for resilient food systems”.

In recent years, increasing climate challenges have highlighted how important it is to rethink food systems in order to create a just and more sustainable future. With 70% of food-insecure people living in urban or peri-urban areas, cities hold great potential in food systems transformation.

The session explored how cities can leverage their influence to advance resilient food systems. Various stakeholders showcased best practices, policy innovations, and concrete solutions that help build resilient urban food systems and enhance urban-rural linkages.

The session concluded with the official launch of ICLEI’s CityFood Market Handbook for Healthy and Resilient Cities, which dives into the role food markets play in urban food systems.

The Session titled “Strengthening the resilience of local food systems” was held on April, 1, in Marseille, within the Climate Chance Europe Africa Summit 2025 program. It was moderated by Florent Yann Lardic, Director of Terres en Villes, the Network of Local Agricultural ad Food Policies, and it was a valuable opportunity to speak about how the current crises are exposing the flaws of the agro-industrial model of food production, whereas local initiatives create fair economic models, and support communities in their pursuit of healthy, sustainable food. The daunting questions remain: “Can these efforts lay the foundation for a new food system? And can a coalition of and collaboration among local actors foster a more equitable concept of food sovereignty, both in the Global North and South?” Our Chair, Giaime Berti, attempted to answer these questions as official Rapporteur of the session, together with: