From policy to plate: international trade law’s role in advancing sustainable food governance and supporting dignified food access

This article investigates the underexplored concept of food dignity, examining how it intersects with the right to adequate food and sustainable governance, particularly within trade contexts where inequalities and environmental challenges exacerbate food access issues. Focusing on the role of the World Trade Organization, it analyses how current trade policies both hinder and can potentially support dignified and sustainable food access and identifies key gaps in WTO Agreements related to agriculture, exploring opportunities to reshape trade provisions to support dignified access to food while advancing sustainable agricultural practices. In doing so, this article reviews recent efforts toward sustainable food governance in trade, offering recommendations for future policy directions.