Philippines hosts new Asia-Pacific hub for sustainable agriculture, cuisine

In November 2025, Bacolod City in the Philippines hosted the first Asia-Pacific convergence of the global Slow Food movement, bringing together over 2,000 delegates from 20 countries. The event aimed to strengthen regional networks around agroecology, a sustainable farming approach that integrates ecology, Indigenous knowledge, and social action. Slow Food designated Bacolod as its Center for Sustainable Gastronomy in the region, and Negros Occidental as the Organic Capital of the Philippines. The gathering emphasized the role of gastronomy in biodiversity protection and the importance of agroecology in addressing social and environmental challenges. Discussions also highlighted the need for integrated, community-led responses to climate change, environmental degradation, and food insecurity. The event concluded with a focus on building long-term relationships among food communities across the region.