African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN) Coordinator George Ouma demonstrated the organization's unwavering commitment to influencing policy and driving positive nutrition outcomes across the continent during the recent three-day Nutrition Face-to-Face Meeting. The event, organised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in London, brought together nutrition actors to engage in a priority-setting process aimed at increasing collective impact on nutrition policy and financing and defining the vision for 2030.

Participants included representatives of United Nations agencies, foundations, civil society organizations, and research institutions, as well as the London Nutrition Advocacy Group, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2.2 Working Group, and the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Network. The meeting also catalysed greater collaboration and buy-in among the stakeholders. The meeting also catalysed greater collaboration and buy-in among the stakeholders.

In a panel discussion on advocacy for nutrition, ALN's Ouma underscored that stakeholders shared a commitment to a nourished future driven by data, accountability, and innovative finance strategies.

"The London Nutrition Face-to-Face Meeting has set a definitive course towards 2030, focusing on innovative financing and strengthened accountability to tackle the pressing challenges of global nutrition," he said. "We are committed to transforming how nutrition actions are prioritised and implemented, ensuring they are both sustainable and impactful."

While in London, Ouma also held bilateral meetings with representatives of such strategic partners as Power of Nutrition, Nutrition International, and SUN Movement.

Asma Lateef, Policy and Advocacy Lead at the SDG2 Advocacy Hub Secretariat highlighted the meeting outcomes, stating, "The global nutrition advocacy community met in London from April 24-26 to discuss and agree to shared goals and objectives. It was important for us to hear the national and regional priorities and perspectives. We anticipate a close collaboration with African Leaders for Nutrition to ensure that nutrition is positioned as central to the climate and development agenda."

The Nutrition Face-to-Face Meeting is a crucial platform for global nutrition advocacy designed to strengthen partnerships, showcase progress in advancing nutrition goals, and garner support for new initiatives and policies to combat malnutrition and promote sustainable development.

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