Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, 

It is a true honour to address you today, one year after the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris. 

I stand here before you in my capacity as the Chair of UN-Nutrition, the coordination mechanism bringing together 15 UN agencies whose work contributes to improving nutrition—and I am here today to convey a message from them to you. 

This moment is not only for taking stock of progress—it is an opportunity to renew our collective energy and strengthen our determination to tackle malnutrition in all its forms. 

We meet again in France, in Lyon this time, at a time of profound global uncertainty. Climate change is accelerating, conflicts are increasing, and fragility is on the rise. In such contexts, access to healthy diets and good nutrition is often among the first and hardest hit. 

While needs are growing, the global system’s capacity to respond is increasingly constrained. This widening gap is one of the defining challenges we face today. 

And yet, we remain hopeful—for three reasons. 

• First, because nutrition is one of the smartest investments we can make. Evidence shows that every dollar invested can generate up to 23 dollars in return—improving health, productivity, and economic growth. 
• Second, because we are seeing stronger commitment to coordination and systems approaches. Governments and partners increasingly recognize that lasting progress requires whole-of-government and whole-of-society action. Many countries are already leading with integrated approaches to accelerate nutrition outcomes. 
• Third, because of the dedication of countries and partners who continue to make Nutrition for Growth a powerful global platform—mobilizing leadership, unlocking financing, and strengthening accountability every four year. 

One year ago in Paris, this platform brought together governments and a wide range of partners—from civil society to development banks, UN agencies, and the private sector. 

Allow me to express our deep appreciation to the Government of France for its leadership and commitment to advancing nutrition globally. 

Together, we made over 550 commitments, mobilizing nearly 30 billion US dollars to advance nutrition where it is needed most. 

But commitments are only the beginning. 

What matters is how they translate into real results—especially for the most vulnerable. This is where accountability is essential. 

Since its establishment in 2014, the Global Nutrition Report has played a central role in tracking progress and strengthening transparency. This has evolved into a more robust system, and since the 2021 Summit in Tokyo, the Nutrition Accountability Framework (the NAF) has provided a comprehensive platform to monitor commitments across sectors. 

Today, the Global Nutrition Report remains the official accountability mechanism for Nutrition for Growth, and we will hear shortly about progress since Paris. 

I am also proud to highlight the strong engagement of the UN system. Across UN-Nutrition member agencies, commitments are being actively pursued—even in a context of constrained resources and growing needs. 

We are also exploring options for a more permanent and streamlined support function to help sustain momentum between summits. 

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Ladies and gentlemen, 

Nutrition sits at the intersection of many of today’s defining challenges: health, food security, climate change, economic development, and equality. 

If we want stronger economies, more resilient societies, and healthier generations, nutrition must be at the centre of development. 

Looking ahead, we must stay focused and act together. We must protect and scale up investments, continue to innovate, and strengthen collaboration across sectors—always placing people at the heart of our efforts. 

There are important opportunities ahead to maintain momentum. 

The UN Decade of Action on Nutrition has been extended through 2030, with strong support from more than 100 Member States—offering a powerful platform to accelerate progress. 

Initiatives such as the Global Compact for Nutrition Integration and the Global Alliance Against Hungerand Poverty also provide important avenues to embed nutrition across sectors. 

We must make full use of these opportunities to advance our shared goal: improving nutrition and ensuring no one is left behind. 

And this conversation does not end today. 

An immediate opportunity lies ahead at the Rome Nutrition Week 2026 in May, where we will continue shaping the future of joint nutrition action. You are all most welcome to join us in Rome to take this work forward. 

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Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 

Let us use this moment to assess our progress, strengthen our actions, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to keep nutrition at the heart of sustainable development. 

Because ultimately, development is about people. 

And good nutrition for all is where development begins. 

Thank you.