Hello SUN Movement Secretariat,

We are pleased to provide the latest news and information from the SUN Movement to support you in achieving your nutrition targets.

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ENGAGE

The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), taking place from 19–27 May 2025 in Geneva, comes at a critical time for advancing global nutrition. It follows on the heels of the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris, which emphasized the need for stronger nutrition integration across health and food systems. WHA78 is one of the platforms where those commitments can translate into concrete action.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, Rome Nutrition Week is back. This string of events will unfold between 26–30 May under the theme “Policy Coherence for Better Nutrition” as part of a wider transformation to sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems. The event will provide a platform for discussions across the United Nations Rome-based Agencies and beyond in the lead up to the Second Stocktaking Moment of the Food Systems Summit. Stay tuned for the schedule of events!

NEWS

The power of collaboration to address the root causes of malnutrition in Zambia

In Zambia, the First 1,000 Most Critical Days Programme (MCDP) is a powerful example of multisectoral action to tackle child malnutrition. Focused on the critical window from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday, the programme helped reduce stunting rates from 40% in 2017 to 32% in 2024—an 8% decline. Thanks to strong collaboration across sectors and stakeholders, Zambia is making important strides in improving early childhood growth, development, and long-term health.

SUN countries are helping drive global momentum to regulate the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes. Nine SUN members supported a decision at the WHO Executive Board that will move to the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025. If adopted, it will be a critical step to protect breastfeeding, empower parents, and close regulatory gaps. The SUN Movement urges all countries to endorse the resolution and ensure stronger safeguards for child nutrition in the digital age.

In an op-ed for Context Newsroom, Afshan Khan, SUN Movement Coordinator, underscores the urgent need to protect global nutrition programs. As aid funding falls and climate change accelerates, the international community must act swiftly to ensure nutrition investments are not lost. The op-ed emphasizes the importance of integrating nutrition across sectors to build resilience and prevent long-term setbacks, with a call to action for global collaboration at key upcoming events like the World Health Assembly and COP30.

After careful consideration, the SUN Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2025 SUN Global Gathering in Kigali. Challenges including reduced development funding and a congested global calendar led to an expected 50% drop in participation, impacting the event’s inclusive spirit. The Secretariat is now exploring alternative ways to foster collaboration and learning across SUN Countries. Sincere thanks go to the Government of Rwanda, NCDA, and all partners for their dedication and support.

Introduced by France and Brazil, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in late March to extend the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition through 2030. The motion, co-sponsored by 140 Member States, is helping sustain political momentum for the pursuit of nutrition targets in the final 5-year stretch of the Sustainable Development Goals. It upholds the lead of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) which will continue to act in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme.

In a powerful op-ed published in Eastern Eye, Baroness Chapman, the UK Minister for international development and SUN Movement Coordinator, Afshan Khan call for a new, integrated approach to tackle global malnutrition. They highlight how malnutrition claims 2.25 million young lives annually and undermines economic growth worldwide. They introduce the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration and a resulting Coalition that aims to embed nutrition into broader development efforts. If we act together, they argue, we can save lives and unlock trillions in lost economic potential.

RESOURCES

The Power of Nutrition’s Impact and Learning Series – Sharing insights and lessons learned from a decade of action

As The Power of Nutrition celebrates a decade of impact, they are sharing lessons learnt across a series of insightful research reports, conversations and published papers. In this fireside chat, as the sector increasingly looks at concessional finance as a tool for greater impact, the conversation explores The Power of Nutrition’s model of partnership with the World Bank and what the sector at large can learn from and replicate.

SUN Movement 3.0 Evaluation Report released

The newly released Evaluation Report of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement's third phase (SUN 3.0) found that SUN 3.0 has significantly advanced global nutrition efforts, particularly in strengthening country ownership and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration. The evaluation highlights notable achievements in several countries, showcasing the Movement’s success in empowering governments and strengthening nutrition governance from 2021 to 2024.

New monitoring manual for the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative offers tips galore

The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous and well-documented, not least its ability to save lives. However, more action is needed to promote, protect and support optimal practices in order to harness its full potential to support good health among breastfeeding women and breastfed children, including later in life. This new manual, jointly developed by UNICEF and WHO, equips countries with tips and tools to track compliance with the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding delineated by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Climate change and nutrition: Recap of policy and research roundtable dialogue on integrated climate–nutrition action

On 5 February 2025, FAO and the Government of France hosted a high-level roundtable on integrated climate–nutrition action, bringing together around 1,300 participants. Permanent Representatives, government officials, UN agencies, researchers, and civil society leaders shared evidence on the links between climate change and nutrition. A new brochure captures the key messages, highlighting policy options, promising practices, and research gaps to drive action across climate, agrifood, and nutrition sectors.

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Photo credits: UN Women, WHO, WFP, FAO, Maurizio Constanzo, Oxfam, UNICEF, UN Nutrition