Climate and food security: implications and actions for Melbourne

The United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria) and the City of Melbourne, in collaboration with the World Food Forum Australia Youth Chapter (WFF AYC), are hosting a screening of the international award-winning short film Hidden Hunger, followed by a panel discussion on the inseparable challenges of food and climate.

Directed by Melburnian Orit Novak, Hidden Hunger, shines a light on East Africa’s invisible malnutrition crisis, revealing how an innovative fortified maize project is combating illness, enhancing nutrition and creating a brighter future for generations. The film won the “Best Focus on Women in Agrifood Systems” category at the 2025 WFF Youth Film Festival, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion about how we can improve and future-proof food and nutritional security here in Melbourne.

In our city, 47% of residents have reported food insecurity, and climate change is already disrupting food production, supply chains, prices, and nutrition – on a global and local scale. Unhealthy diets and biodiversity loss also continue to rise, making it harder for people – especially young people – to access diverse, nutritious food (WFF 2025 report).

This event will explore the inextricable link between climate change, food systems and urban life in Melbourne – from the farms and landscapes that supply the city, to how food is accessed, consumed and produced within the urban environment. It will demonstrate how climate resilient local agri-food systems, nutrition, gender equity and food security are connected across scales, and how local action in Melbourne contributes to global climate and agri-food system transformation.

Speakers:

Dr Rachel Carey, Associate Professor in Food Systems at The University of Melbourne

Yee Zhao, Co-founder of Gnositukoi

Jasmine Sibree, AgriFutures Australia, 2025 World Food Forum Fellow

Abe Ropitini Executive Director of Population Health at the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)

This event forms part of the United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria) and City of Melbourne’s 2026 Climate and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) event series.

In 2026, COP31 will be hosted in Türkiye, with Australia assuming the COP presidency for negotiations. This is a defining role for Australia and the Pacific to influence global climate discussions in the lead-up to, and at the conference in November. In recognition of Australia’s position in the global climate agenda, UNAA Victoria and the City of Melbourne are partnering to deliver a series of seven events to highlight climate action and the localising of the United Nations’ 17 SDGs.

UNAA Victoria is dedicated to engaging local communities in advancing the SDGs, including those related to human rights and climate change. City of Melbourne is a global leader on climate action and sustainability, winning the 2024 UN-Habitat Shanghai Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities. Melbourne was also the first Australian city to produce an SDGs Voluntary Local Review. Together, we play crucial roles in connecting the community to climate and sustainability action frameworks provided by the SDGs.

The World Food Forum Australia Youth Chapter (WFF AYC) is a national platform that empowers young Australians to shape the future of food. It connects emerging leaders across agriculture, policy, research and enterprise, creating opportunities to influence decision making, champion innovation and drive practical action for more sustainable and equitable food systems.

The WFF AYC are part of the global World Food Forum, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which brings together governments, researchers, industry and civil society to accelerate agrifood systems transformation. Through this network, it elevates Australian youth perspectives on the global stage and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

Stay tuned for more information on future events.