The 38th African Union Summit, set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14–15, 2025, is gearing up to tackle Africa’s growing malnutrition crisis with a decisive shift from policy discussions to concrete action. Under the theme “Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and Payment of Reparations to Africans,” the Summit will bring together African leaders, global partners, and top policymakers to drive impactful change.
A key highlight of the Summit is a high-level side event titled “From Policy to Action: Towards a Common Position to Address Malnutrition in Africa,” organized by Côte d’Ivoire, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank Group, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Nutrition International. Taking place on February 14, this crucial gathering will push for stronger financial and policy commitments to combat malnutrition, a crisis that costs Africa a staggering $153 billion annually in lost productivity and economic growth.
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Malnutrition remains a major barrier to Africa’s socio-economic development, slowing progress toward achieving global nutrition targets. The upcoming side event will serve as a powerful platform to assess commitments made by AU Member States, evaluate progress, and chart a collective path forward. By presenting a united front, Africa aims to influence global discussions at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris in March 2025, securing transformative partnerships and funding to accelerate nutrition efforts.
The event will draw approximately 200 key stakeholders, including African heads of state, high-ranking AU officials, representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN agencies, NGOs, and private sector leaders. Among the distinguished speakers are His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, the President of Côte d’Ivoire, and senior officials from the African Development Bank and FAO.
As Africa moves toward 2025, the Summit is expected to ignite a renewed commitment to eradicating malnutrition, paving the way for a healthier, more prosperous continent. The world will be watching as African leaders take bold steps to turn policy into action.
