“The time for action is now. We cannot afford to let another generation of African children suffer from the devastating consequences of malnutrition,” declared His Majesty King Letsie III at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris.
As the African Union’s Nutrition Champion, the King highlighted the alarming reality that 60 million children across the continent are stunted, an irreversible condition that impairs both physical and cognitive development.
He further emphasised that 60 million adolescent girls suffer from anaemia, a condition that weakens cognitive abilities, affects academic performance, and reduces productivity, ultimately deepening gender inequality and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Despite these challenges, His Majesty expressed optimism about the growing commitment among African nations to prioritise nutrition.
“We are seeing a shift—countries are stepping up, investing their own resources, and forming strategic partnerships to tackle this crisis head-on,” he noted, citing Lesotho as an example of an African nation taking ownership of its nutrition agenda, reinforcing the importance of sustainable and home-grown solutions.
While acknowledging the continued support of international donors, he underscored that “sustainable development and the achievement of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are deeply connected to better nutrition outcomes.”
The King urged African leaders to place nutrition at the centre of their national priorities, recognising its fundamental role in public health, education, and economic growth.
“Without proper nutrition, immune systems remain weak, education outcomes stagnate, and economies struggle to grow,” he cautioned.
He left leaders with a thought-provoking question; “Will we invest in the futures of millions of children, or will we turn away, knowing the cost of inaction?”
The N4G Summit, hosted by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, brought together governments, international organisations, civil society, research institutions, philanthropists, and the private sector to drive decisive action against malnutrition.
This global pledging event provided a strategic platform to prioritise nutrition and secure tangible commitments towards both national and international health and development goals.
Malnutrition remains one of the most pressing public health crises worldwide, significantly contributing to child mortality, hindering development, and weakening immune systems.
“The effects of malnutrition are devastating. It makes children more susceptible to disease and, in many cases, leads to premature death,” Catherine Russell, the UNICEF Executive Director said.
The 2025 N4G Summit focused on placing nutrition at the heart of the global development agenda, uniting the world in the fight against all forms of malnutrition, ensuring sustainability in nutrition commitments, and securing strong political and financial support for improved nutrition worldwide.
The Paris Summit also emphasised on the integration of nutrition into healthcare and social protection programs, the transition to sustainable food systems, and the link between climate change and food security.
“We need to approach nutrition holistically, considering its links to education, gender equality, and climate resilience,” noted Dr. Francesco Branca, a delegate from the World Health Organisation.
The fight against malnutrition has seen significant financial commitments from major philanthropic organisations.
The Gates Foundation pledged $750 million to support maternal and child nutrition programs, Jackie and Miguel Bezos committed $509 million to UNICEF USA’s Child Nutrition Fund while the Rockefeller Foundation announced a $100 million initiative aimed at reaching 100 million children with nutrition interventions.
“Investing in sustainable food systems will not only improve food security for children but also create economic opportunities for farmers and businesses while protecting the planet,” Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation said.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s initiative will be carried out in collaboration with organisations such as the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
These partnerships aim to ensure that nutrition programs reach those most in need, scaling up efforts to combat malnutrition on a global scale.
The 2025 Paris N4G Summit served as a powerful call to action for governments, international organisations, and private sector players to invest in nutrition solutions.
“With the right commitments and collaborations, we can make the vision of a malnutrition-free world by 2030 a reality,” the King concluded.
