The event will highlight the crucial role of the informal sector in achieving global development goals. The discussions will explore opportunities that harness informal economies – from school feeding to food vending, and community-driven social assistance. The event will show that these investments also contribute to progressively move towards decent work in the informal sector. Special attention will be given to traditional food systems - such as traditional food markets and street food vendors - as vital components of local economies and sustainable development.

Informality is not a temporary phenomenon; it is a structural reality. Many governments continue to adopt punitive approaches toward informality, restricting access to public space, imposing excessive regulations, or criminalizing informal work. The informal economy represents 61 percent of the global workforce. This translates to an astounding 2 billion people. Of this total, the agriculture sector has the highest level of informal employment worldwide, estimated at more than 90 percent. On the African continent, for example, 12 million young people are entering the workforce each year since 2015. The formal job market does not offer the necessary opportunities to cater for this demand. Hence, the informal sector is here to stay, and it is very likely to grow. It is therefore crucial to substitute a punitive approach by one that progressively raises the standards of the informal sector.

Furthermore, it is crucial to extend the discussion on informality to also include informal social security / assistance systems. Communities around the world develop their own responses to the daily challenges they face. These responses often fall outside the scope of formal government interventions. However, they effectively address local needs and capacities, making them particularly suitable for scaling up.

The event will build on insights from a wide range of partners who are working to transform food systems to make them inclusive and climate resilient across various regions worldwide. Given the importance of informal systems for food production, distribution, and preparation, the convening partners of this event suggest that food systems can serve as a valuable entry point for examining informality more broadly.