High-Level Flagship Event – Coherent Policy and Action for Better Nutrition: World Nutrition Day 2025

Organizer: Government of the United Kingdom, UN-Nutrition, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP)

Held on World Nutrition Day, this high-level flagship event was the central moment of Rome Nutrition Week 2025. It convened UN Senior Leadership, Permanent Representatives, and global stakeholders to reaffirm the critical role of nutrition in achieving sustainable development. Speakers emphasized that despite progress, malnutrition remains a leading driver of child mortality, and overcoming it demands a coordinated, multisectoral response. The session underscored the need for stronger policy coherence and cross-sector collaboration between food, health, environment, and economic systems. Building on momentum from global fora including the N4G Summit, World Health Assembly, and in anticipation of UNFSS+4 and COP30, participants shared insights, lessons learned, and strategic direction for accelerating progress. A key outcome was renewed commitment to placing nutrition at the center of global action and strengthening integrated, country-led solutions through sustained dialogue and joint accountability.

 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Chair of UN-Nutrition
  • Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Mr. Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • Ms. Valerie Guarnieri, Assistant Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
  • His Majesty King Letsie III, King of the Kingdom of Lesotho
  • Mr Balaji Jujjavarapu, Alternate Permanent Representative of India
  • H.E. Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of South Africa and Chairperson of the CFS
  • H.E. Carla Barroso Carneiro, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Brazil
  • Ms. Afshan Khan, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Global Coordinator, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement
  • H.E. Krisztina Bende, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland
  • Mr. Wellington Dias, Minister for Social Development and the Fight Against Hunger, Federative Republic of Brazil
  • Mr. Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • Ms. Reehana Raza, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • Mr. Octavian Bivol, Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
  • Mr. Irving Prado, Deputy Regional Director for Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, World Food Programme (WFP)
  • Mr. Patrice Talla, Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • Mr. Toby Parker, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN in Rome and Chair, Rome Nutrition Week 2025 Organising Committee