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Leaders discuss the importance of nutrition for development at the U.S. Africa summit
On 4 August 2014, the United States (U.S.) Africa Leaders Summit took place in Washington D.C. President Obama welcomed leaders from across the African continent for a three day summit under the theme “Investing in the Next Generation”. Throughout the summit, action on reducing child…
August 25, 2014 - Last update: February 10, 2023
On 4 August 2014, the United States (U.S.) Africa Leaders Summit took place in Washington D.C. President Obama welcomed leaders from across the African continent for a three day summit under the theme “Investing in the Next Generation”. Throughout the summit, action on reducing child stunting in Africa was identified as imperative for driving economic growth and reducing poverty.
The morning prior to the summit, a high level meeting was organised by the African Union (AU), World Bank Group and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). The meeting included African heads of state, ministers, CEOs and civil society leaders who came together to discuss child under-nutrition and its link to economic growth.
The participants of the meeting discussed the ways that many African nations are leading on investing in nutrition through a multi-sectoral approach (across health, social protection, agriculture, water and sanitation sectors). This included the establishment of bold targets and measurement of progress against them, engagement with multiple stakeholders and empowerment of local governments to develop their own nutrition plans.
At the meeting, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim stated “When malnutrition strikes children in the first years of their lives, it permanently stunts their bodies, their minds, and their potential to fully contribute to their country’s economy. This great loss holds back a country’s potential for a vibrant, productive labour force and its ability to realize the promise of the demographic dividend.”
Learn more:
Senior research fellow in the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Poverty Health and Nutrition Division Lawrence Haddad shares his thoughts through a DEVEX blog about the importance of nutrition in the lead up to the summit
World Bank Lead Health & Nutrition Specialist in the Africa region, Meera Shekar blogs a detailed summary about the high level meeting
President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Kanayo F. Nwanze shares a statement, highlighting the importance of youth as a precious resource, agriculture and rural development and nutrition sensitive agriculture via
Go to the official site for the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit
Read the Press Releases by USAID Day One, Day Two
Read a blog by Thousand Days
