The Nutrition for Growth Summit kicked off on March 27, 2025, in Paris, focusing on global efforts to combat malnutrition, a crisis affecting billions.

Hosted by the French government, the summit aims to address the escalating global malnutrition crisis amid significant funding challenges.

This summit marks the first major international solidarity event following substantial cuts to U.S. humanitarian and development aid funding.

International humanitarian organizations are currently facing a funding crisis, exacerbated by the cessation of most U.S. foreign aid programs under the previous administration.

Catherine Russell, UNICEF's Director, has warned that these financial cuts could jeopardize the lives of millions of children worldwide.

The summit is expected to host representatives from 75 countries, including various foundations, UN agencies, and businesses, all aiming to tackle malnutrition.

The summit seeks to reinforce France's commitment to food security as a vital component of global resilience and stabilization.

Philanthropic organizations, such as the Rockefeller Foundation, are anticipated to announce new funding initiatives, with discussions also focusing on EU projects to mitigate food crises.

Malnutrition remains the leading cause of child mortality globally and has been chronically underfunded, even before the recent reductions in aid.

Progress against malnutrition has stagnated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with rising issues such as low birth weight and obesity affecting both low-income and affluent nations.

Ahead of the summit, 600 Southern NGOs signed a declaration calling for urgent action to eradicate malnutrition amidst rising political tensions and climate change threats.

The severity of the malnutrition crisis is underscored by statistics from 2022, where 36 million children under five suffered from acute malnutrition and 148 million experienced stunted growth.