…Says more than 600 million people may face hunger in 2030
His Majesty King Letsie III delivered a compelling call to action during the 48th Session of the IFAD Governing Council on February 12, 2025, emphasising the urgent need for global investments in nutrition, climate resilience, and sustainable food systems.
Addressing world leaders in his dual capacity as the African Union’s Champion for Nutrition and FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) Special Ambassador on Nutrition, the King outlined the interconnected crises of hunger, malnutrition, climate change, and economic instability, which continue to threaten global food security.
Speaking at both the Governing Council’s keynote session and the Leaders’ Dialogue on Investing in Nutrition, he urged nations to take decisive action, warning that failure to invest in nutrition and food systems would have dire social and economic consequences, particularly for developing nations like Lesotho.
The Global Nutrition Crisis: A Call to Action
King Letsie III painted a stark picture of the global nutrition crisis, citing alarming statistics:
- Over 2 billion people lack regular access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
- By 2030, more than 600 million people are projected to face hunger.
- 22% of children worldwide suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition.
- 30.7% of children under five in Africa are stunted, and 13.7% of infants are born with low birth weight.
“These figures are not just numbers; they represent millions of lives unfulfilled, dreams deferred, and potential squandered. We cannot allow this crisis to persist.” he remarked.
The King emphasised that malnutrition is not just a health issue but an economic one, costing African economies between 1.9% and 16.5% of their annual GDP due to child undernutrition.
The economic burden of malnutrition worldwide is projected to reach a staggering USD3.5 trillion annually if urgent action is not taken.
Investing at the First Mile: A Moral and Economic Imperative
At the Leaders’ Dialogue on Investing in Nutrition, His Majesty stressed the importance of ‘catalysing investment at the first mile’, where food systems begin and where the most vulnerable populations bear the brunt of hunger and malnutrition.
He called on governments, development agencies, and the private sector to bridge financing gaps and prioritise funding for grassroots-level interventions that strengthen local food systems.
“Investing in nutrition is not merely an expenditure; it is an investment in the future. Every dollar spent on nutrition generates at least USD23 in returns through increased health, education, and economic productivity,” he stated.
The King outlined key strategies for tackling malnutrition, including:
- Expanding National Budget Allocations for Nutrition – He urged African governments to integrate nutrition into national development policies and commit greater resources to food security.
- Innovative Financing Solutions – He highlighted the role of blended finance and public-private partnerships in scaling up investments in nutrition and food security.
- Empowering Small-Scale Farmers and Rural Communities – Supporting local food production systems is crucial for ensuring access to affordable, diverse, and nutritious diets.
- Strengthening Resilience in Fragile Contexts – Climate change is disproportionately affecting food systems in Africa, making it vital to invest in climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Food Systems
His Majesty underscored the interconnectedness of nutrition, climate change, and biodiversity, warning that Africa’s food systems are under severe threat due to droughts, floods, land degradation, and biodiversity loss.
He urged governments and international organisations to scale up climate-resilient agricultural investments, ensuring that food production systems can withstand environmental shocks.
“Biodiversity is foundational to food security. Protecting it ensures the availability of nutrient-rich foods and strengthens our food systems against climate disruptions,” he stated.
He commended IFAD, FAO, and the World Bank for their support in restoring degraded lands and enhancing biodiversity conservation, which has benefitted rural communities in Lesotho.
However, he stressed the need for greater collaboration to expand sustainable food production initiatives across Africa.
The Role of the Private Sector in Ending Malnutrition
Acknowledging the transformative power of the private sector, the King called for corporate investments in smallholder farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that produce and distribute nutritious foods.
“The private sector has the capacity to innovate, scale, and sustain impactful solutions. By investing in small-scale farmers, we unlock economic opportunities while addressing food security,” he declared.
He encouraged companies to engage in nutrition-focused business models, supporting food fortification, sustainable agricultural practices, and market access for local producers.
A Roadmap to the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris
As the Nutrition for Growth Summit approaches in March 2025, His Majesty urged world leaders to commit to bold, sustainable funding strategies for nutrition.
He stressed that the time for rhetoric has passed, and the global community must take concrete steps to: increase long-term investments in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, develop resilient food supply chains that withstand climate shocks and ensure inclusive, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate nutrition policies.
“The cost of inaction is too high because malnutrition weakens nations. It hinders economic growth, stifles potential, and contributes to 45% of child mortality worldwide. We must act now,” he charged
Lesotho’s Commitment to Eradicating Malnutrition
Reaffirming Lesotho’s national commitment to food security and nutrition, the King acknowledged the challenges his country faces in tackling food insecurity, poverty, and climate-induced agricultural disruptions.
Despite recent economic growth, he noted that Lesotho still relies heavily on agriculture, which is increasingly vulnerable to prolonged droughts, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss.
To address these challenges, He announced that the Lesotho government has pledged to accelerate efforts to combat child malnutrition and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.2—ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030.
The government is implementing strategic, multi-sectoral frameworks that bring together agriculture, health, and education sectors to promote food and nutrition security.
The King Lesotho’s successful partnerships with IFAD, FAO, and development agencies, which have helped introduce climate adaptation measures, restore degraded lands, and protect biodiversity. However, he stressed that more needs to be done to scale up nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart food systems.
A Lasting Legacy of Advocacy for Nutrition and Food Security
As he concluded his addresses, King Letsie III reaffirmed his commitment as the African Union’s Champion for Nutrition and FAO Special Ambassador on Nutrition, pledging to continue advocating for food security and investment in nutrition across the world.
“This is not just an idealistic dream—it is an achievable reality. We need integrated action, strong political will, and sustainable investments to break the cycle of malnutrition and poverty,” he affirmed.
He called on governments, civil society, private sector leaders, and development partners to work together to create inclusive, sustainable food systems that guarantee affordable, diverse, and nutritious diets for all.
“Investing in nutrition is investing in our collective future, the well-being, prosperity, and potential of our communities depend on it,” he concluded.
