A/HRC/43/44 Special Rapporteur has had the pleasure of working with several civil society organizations, she has seen that there is a need for a greater mobilization of civil society on behalf of the right to food. The Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights has also raised concerns in the Human Rights Council about the lack of civil society organizations devoted to economic, social and cultural rights (see, for example, A/HRC/32/31). L. Promote food citizenship in times of urbanization 88. While States bear the primary obligation to realize the right to food, food is inherently local and individual, as well as communal. Rural populations play a critical role in the realization of the right to food, but cities are also major drivers of socioeconomic transformation and the epicentre of food markets. By 2050, 68 per cent of the world’s population is expected to live in cities.70 Changing demographics and urbanization bring new challenges to and opportunities for global food policies. Consumers should carefully make food choices that respect the human rights of workers, protect future generations and promote the sustainability of the planet, instead of becoming disconnected from food systems (see A/73/164 and A/HRC/40/56). That comprehensive responsibility extends beyond the role of “consumers”, and can be most appropriately described as behaving as “food citizens”. Food citizens around the world are already calling for a new integrated food system between cities and rural communities based on democracy, participation and ecological principles. This positive trend is growing fast. 89. Embracing “food citizenship” may take many forms, including support for greater urban-rural engagement, collective procurement and participation in food policy councils. 71 Such community-based movements are taking control of local and regional food systems with the goal of promoting “bottom-up” change. For instance, the Toronto Food Policy Council, which has existed since 1991, convenes members of the food, farming and community sector to advise the City of Toronto on food policy matters. 90. Food policy councils provide a platform for individuals to assert food system preferences by way of civic engagement. They are also educating newcomers about conscientious choices in the context of active food citizenship that is extending its reach beyond the confines of neighbourhoods, cities, States and regions to encompass the world as a whole. As an example, the city of Milan took this initiative to a global level introducing the Milan urban food policy pact that was signed by more than 100 cities in 2015. V. Conclusion 91. As the Special Rapporteur recognizes in her final report, eliminating hunger and malnutrition and realizing the right to food for the world’s citizens is a substantial undertaking. It is a goal that is particularly difficult to achieve in the light of the legal, political, economic and environmental conditions in the current world order. However, with a demonstration of political will and the transformation of aspirations into action, it is not unreachable. States must implement human rights instruments, ensuring that all players, not just powerful ones, are included in the decision-making process. Those who disproportionately suffer from hunger must be represented and afforded the opportunity to advocate for their rights. The world must remember that the human right to food is not unattainable, only unrealized. The Special Rapporteur thanks all the members of the Human Rights Council for lending her this platform and the opportunity to amplify the voices of the world’s hungry and food-insecure. 70 71 20 See Department of Economic and Social Affairs, “World urbanization prospects 2018: highlights” (2019). See, for example, Europe Now, “Food citizenship? Collective food procurement in European cities” (September 2018).