Asia wastes over 230 million tonnes of food annually, even as more than 375 million people across the region remain undernourished. This stark contrast highlights food waste as not just an inefficiency, but both a social injustice and an environmental crisis.

This session reimagines food waste not merely as a challenge, but as a catalyst for regeneration. It explores how circular, inclusive, and low-carbon food systems can turn waste into value—economically, socially, and ecologically. From community food banks and food recovery to upcycled ingredients and nutrient reintegration, a range of practical models are already emerging across Asia. By treating food waste as a starting point for innovation, ASEAN and Asia more broadly can build food systems that restore equity, reduce environmental harm, and create new pathways for sustainable development.

Rather than promoting a single solution, the session showcases approaches such as redistribution, bioconversion, fermentation, and circular logistics. It examines what is needed to scale these models, including policy reform, shifts in consumer behaviour, inclusive financing mechanisms, and appropriate infrastructure.