The United Nations has taken a significant step in the fight against malnutrition by appointing Nigerian Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and 21 other influential leaders to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Lead Group. Their mission is to tackle malnutrition in all its forms and improve nutrition for people worldwide.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, currently serving as the President of the African Development Bank, joins the esteemed group alongside two other Nigerians, Mr. Mansur Muhtar, Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank, and Ms. Ndidi Nwuneli, Executive Chair of Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition.
The SUN Movement, initiated in 2010 under the former Secretary-General, remains committed to enhancing nutrition for all individuals globally. With the guidance of the 22 appointed leaders, the movement aims to eradicate malnutrition by 2030.
Nearly half the world’s population, around three billion people, cannot afford a healthy diet, while two-thirds of children lack the diverse diets necessary for their growth and well-being.
Highlighting the critical importance of nutrition, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “Without good nutrition, there is no human development. Every child needs access to nutritious and safe foods to grow and develop to their full potential.”
Guterres commended the SUN Movement’s country-owned multi-sectoral and multistakeholder approach to combat malnutrition, emphasizing its significance in addressing the global challenge.
The SUN Movement Lead Group comprises representatives from SUN Movement membership, including 65 countries, four Indian states, over 4,000 civil society organizations, more than 1,400 businesses, 16 United Nations agencies, international finance institutions, and donor governments and philanthropies funding nutrition efforts.
The SUN Movement is committed to promoting nutrition action and collaboration, assisting countries in implementing policies and legislation that ensure access to a nutritious diet for children, adolescents, mothers, and families. The movement fosters a holistic approach, uniting stakeholders for nutrition advocacy, investment, and coordinated action at the national level.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director and Chair of the SUN Movement Lead Group expressed the urgency of the mission, stating, “Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of disease and death globally—a major threat to children. Conflicts, crises, COVID-19, and climate change threaten to reverse hard-won gains if we don’t get back on track.”
With a determination to reignite a global movement to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, the appointed leaders will work together under the coordination of Afshan Khan, SUN Movement Coordinator, to drive progress and inspire impactful results.
The appointment of Akinwumi Adesina and other esteemed leaders signals a collective commitment to prioritize nutrition, mobilize resources, and take decisive action to address malnutrition and ensure a healthier future for all.
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