Conferences and summits: InfoPoint conference: Investing in innovative solutions for nutrition-sensitive agriculture

The world is off track to meet SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), with over 600 million people projected to face hunger by 2030. Malnutrition rates are rising, particularly in low-income and fragile countries. Nearly 22.3% of children globally are stunted, and about 30% of people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies due to inadequate diets.

Nutrition financing needs have grown from $7 billion to nearly $11 billion annually, but current investments are insufficient, with governments spending only $1.87 per person on nutritional deficiencies. However, investing in nutrition can yield significant returns, with every $1 invested potentially generating $23 in benefits.

In this Infopoint organised by the European Commission (EC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in the lead up to the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, we wish to raise awareness on initiatives and solutions financed through EU-IFAD partnership and innovative financing mechanisms catalysing private sector investments in nutrition and investing in climate-resilient agriculture and biodiversity in an inclusive and integrated approach.

Furthermore, it would be an opportunity to explore how current instruments such as the EU’s Global Gateway and IFAD13 could support accelerating nutrition outcomes.

Beyond the N4G Summit, the event also comes at a crucial time. We are at an early stage of the start of the term of the new European Commission when policies and programmes are being developed and advanced such as the Global Gateway.

Event Details

Date: Friday 14 March 2025

Time: 14:00 - 15:30 (CET)

Location: InfoPoint, Brussels, Belgium

Languages: English

Description

Reducing malnutrition in all its forms is not only a commitment to achieving fundamental human rights but a profitable investment for present and future generations. Children who escape malnutrition achieve higher income levels as adults and are more likely to also escape poverty.

The World Bank shows that the estimated impact of malnutrition on the global economy could be as high as US$3.5 trillion per year, or US$500 per individual (2024 World Bank Investment Framework for Nutrition). Additionally, nutrition is closely linked to climate change, and investing in the climate nutrition nexus can yield significant social, economic and climate benefits.

Leading towards the N4G Summit in Paris, the EC and IFAD wish to reflect on innovative financial opportunities and investments that show results and can be scaled up and to look ahead on how their programmes and investments can accelerate nutrition outcomes.

Innovative financing instruments will be showcased during the event with examples from the EU-IFAD partnerships such as the programme on Diaspora investment in sustainable youth entrepreneurship in Mali and the Yield Investment Fund / Small and Medium Agribusiness Development Fund (SMADF) in Uganda.