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| In the run-up to the Nutrition for Growth 2025 (N4G) Summit, Focus 2030 has issued a special edition to present the issues to be discussed at the Summit and the challenges posed by malnutrition. Further information is available on the official N4G Summit website. |
Editorial
Malnutrition is the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide, with an estimated one in two deaths among children under five directly or indirectly attributable to malnutrition.
Malnutrition, in all its forms - undernutrition, deficiencies, overweight or obesity - is a major global challenge.
Good nutrition is central to the health of individuals and to the social and economic development of countries. No country is exempt from malnutrition.
It has been demonstrated that for every dollar invested in nutrition, a return of 23 dollars is generated, when the cost of inaction is significantly higher, resulting in the devastation of lives and the loss of tens of billions of dollars to the global economy.
Yet malnutrition remains the great neglected area of development policy—a misguided view, because it fails to recognize that addressing malnutrition is both possible and imperative.
Beyond insufficient financial and political investments in nutrition, factors such as conflict, climate change, economic crisis and inequality contribute to the exacerbation of malnutrition on a global scale, postponing the achievement of SDG 2: eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
This challenge can only be met with strong political will and resources commensurate with the stakes.
In this context, the first Nutrition for Growth Summit was organized in 2012, with subsequent summits being held every four years in the host countries of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its aim: to mobilize the international community - governments, international organizations, civil society, foundations, the private sector and the world of research - around concrete political and financial commitments. The last Summit, held in Japan in 2021, resulted in the mobilization of US$27 billion.
On March 27 and 28, France will host this crucial summit, offering a unique opportunity to advance the fight against malnutrition on a global scale.
In this special edition, you’ll find an overview of the issues and news surrounding the N4G Summit, including key figures on the global situation, interviews with experts and campaigns from civil society organizations.
The next edition of the Summit, organized by France on March 27 and 28, 2025, in Paris, represents a unique opportunity for France to engage the international community in a more effective fight against malnutrition.
The 2025 Paris Summit will :
Further information is available on the official N4G Summit website.
About the N4G Summits :
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A global mobilization is needed to make ambitious commitments during the N4G Summit in Paris
Numerous governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations around the world are mobilizing ahead of the Nutrition for Growth Summit, to define bold commitments and exchange ideas on principles of commitment and accountability.
The N4G event will provide a platform to announce political and financial pledges by governments, international organizations, civil society, businesses and donors, all aimed at improving global nutrition across a wide range of themes such as health, agriculture, climate and gender equality.
These commitments can take various forms. The N4G Paris Commitment Guide is designed to assist stakeholders in formulating their commitments, guided by engagement principles. Governments can choose to implement policies to improve national nutrition outcomes and meet local or international objectives. Food industries, for instance, could pledge to enhance the nutritional quality of their products. In parallel, financial commitments could be made to fund projects improving nutrition for targeted populations or geographic area or encourage investment in food companies producing healthier options that meet strict criteria for sugar, salt, and trans fats.
The Summit marks a critical opportunity to accelerate the fight against malnutrition, building on existing efforts to eradicate this global issue and achieve, in particular, SDG 2 by 2030.
Lifelong access to adequate nutrition is not only a fundamental right, but also a prerequisite for the health of populations and the development of nations.
Yet the current state of malnutrition worldwide is alarming in more ways than one. Malnutrition, in all its forms - undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight/ obesity - is present across all continents and affects all socio-economic groups. It disproportionately impacts developing countries, particularly women, infants, children, and adolescents within these regions.
Nutritional indicators have been established to evaluate the global nutrition landscape. These indicators aim to monitor progress towards achieving global nutrition targets, identify gaps, and guide public policies and interventions based on the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Worldwide, significant progress has been made in the fight against malnutrition over the past decade. Rates of stunting and wasting have decreased, and exclusive breastfeeding has seen a significant increase.
Nevertheless, trends in nutritional indicators over time reveal uneven progress, with some areas showing stagnation or worsening challenges. The world is not on track to meet all seven global targets. In particular, adult obesity rates continue to rise across all age groups and could affect 1.2 billion people by 2030 if current trends persist.
The charts below show the latest available data for each nutritional indicator and their trajectories towards the estimated 2030 global targets (based on the 2025 targets). By comparing the current situation with global targets, several trends emerge:
The chart below presents the situation of countries in relation to the seven global nutrition targets. It shows that many nations remain far from meeting these objectives, while only a few are on track to achieve them.
- 02.01.2025 – Launch of the Nutrition Accountability Framework (NAF) platform for registering commitments ahead of the 2025 N4G Summit in Paris
The platform aims to independently track global SMART nutrition commitments, monitor progress, and assess their impact. Forms are now available to register new commitments to be considered for the 2025 N4G Summit in Paris."
- Until January 10, 2025 - Call for applications for the N4G Summit Side Events
The organizers of N4G Paris launched a call for application to organize a side event during the N4G Summit. Applications can be submitted until January 10, 2025 via this link.
- December 13, 2024 - Release of the N4G Paris Summit Framework Documents
The Vision and Road Map document, which outlines the summit’s philosophy, context, and objectives, along with the N4G Paris Commitment Guide designed to assist stakeholders on formulating commitments for the Summit, have been published on the official N4G 2025 Summit website.
- December 9, 2024 - Analysis of France’s Commitments at the 2021 Tokyo Summit Published by Global Health Advocates
The NGO Global Health Advocates published an analysis of France’s commitments at the 2021 Tokyo N4G Summit, highlighting the need for France, as the host country, to make ambitious commitments on nutrition, and to encourage all stakeholders to do the same.
- November 11, 2024 – Independent Expert Panel on Nutrition published Policy Recommendations to Tackle Malnutrition
The Paris Peace Forum brought together an Independent Expert Panel on Nutrition, composed of experts from international organizations, civil society, and academia, led by Shawn Baker, Director of Programs at Helen Keller International. This Expert Panel met over several months to identify priority investments and policies to accelerate progress in the fight against malnutrition and to encourage political and financial commitments at the N4G Summit in key sectors, including health, agri-food systems, social protection, education, and on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
- Statement by the Paris N4G Private Sector Working Group: Driving Collective Action to Combat Malnutrition]
ATNI (Access to Nutrition Initiative), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and Paris Peace Forum (PPF) facilitate the Paris 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Private Sector Working Group (PSWG), with the goal of driving private sector collaboration for the 2025 N4G Summit, facilitating strategic engagement and ensuring meaningful contributions to advancing global nutrition outcomes. Read the framework here.
