IPS Researchers Contribute towards Regional Food Environment Stakeholders’ Workshop

18-20 August 2025

The SHAPE Asia Country Meeting and Project Workshop brought together food environment stakeholders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka to foster regional collaboration and shared learning. The event, held in Kuala Lumpur, aimed to strengthen double-duty food policy initiatives through inclusive and equitable strategies.

Representing the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Dr Nisha Arunatilake (Director of Research) and Sunimalee Madurawala (Research Economist) joined the workshop to contribute to discussions and planning of project activities. Their involvement supported the broader goal of building a collaborative learning network that engages policymakers, media, civic organisations, and government actors in transforming food environments.

The workshop hosted by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (the National University of Malaysia), encouraged peer learning and South–South capacity building, with a focus on advocacy for healthier food systems across the region. IPS’s participation reinforced its commitment to regional knowledge exchange and policy development for sustainable nutrition.