A high-level side event on the margins of the 38th African Union Summit

The 38th African Union Summit is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. from 14 to 15 February 2025, under the theme: “Building a united front to advance the cause of justice and payment of reparations to Africans.” 

On the margins of the Summit, the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, the Africa Union Commission, the African Development Bank Group, the Commission for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Nutrition International have jointly organized a high-level side event titled, “From Policy to Action: Towards a Common Position to Address Malnutrition in Africa.”

The side-event, which will be held on 14 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, is considered as a significant response to the high burden of malnutrition in Africa and the continent's slow progress toward achieving its nutrition targets, which collectively cost Africa USD 153 billion annually in lost productivity and economic growth. The event will serve as a platform to review financial and policy commitments made by AU Member States, assess progress in combating malnutrition, and reflect on critical lessons learned. It will also unify Africa’s position and commitments, ensuring the continent presents a strong, collective voice at the Nutrition for Growth Summit, which will take place in Paris in March 2025, fostering transformative action and impactful partnerships for improved nutrition outcomes across Africa.

The event aims also to secure bold political and financial commitments to scale up efforts against malnutrition in all its forms, accelerating progress toward achieving global nutrition targets by 2030. With malnutrition remaining a significant barrier to Africa’s socio-economic development, the event provides a platform to maintain momentum, mobilize resources, and galvanize political and financial support for nutrition among African leaders.

The event is expected to attract approximately 200 participants, including heads of state and government, representatives from AU Member States, AU agencies and commissions, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. Key speakers will include His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, the President of Côte d’Ivoire, high-level representatives from the African Union, the African Development Bank, and FAO.