SUN Global Gathering 2019

"Nourishing people and planet together"

SUN Global Gathering 2019

4 to 7 November 2019
HOTEL YAK & YETI – Kathmandu, Nepal

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Over 1,200 participants gathered for the 2019 SUN Movement Global Gathering at the Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu, Nepal from 4 to 7 November 2019. The Government of Nepal welcomed members of the SUN Movement, creating a space for SUN countries to share their experiences and insights on how nutrition, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, can accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The theme of the 2019 SUN Movement Global Gathering was “Nourishing People and Planet Together”, acknowledging that globalisation, urbanisation, inequities, humanitarian crises and climate shocks are driving unprecedented negative changes in people’s nutrition around the world. Stemming this requires food systems to deliver nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable diets for all, within sustainable planetary boundaries. The theme was used to create a detailed programme with plenary and 25 workshop sessions based on country and stakeholder input, along with the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap 2016–2020.

SUNGG19 summary of proceedings: English │ Français │ Español
SUNGG19 agenda: English │ Français │ Español
SUN Movement Global Gathering brings together over 1,000 participants committed to improving nutrition (press release)

Prior to the SUNGG, a full day of workshops and meetings involving SUN Focal Points, Networks, Executive Committee and Lead Group members took place, to ensure that SUN countries are on track to deliver results.

The SUN Global Gathering (SUNGG) is the flagship event of the SUN Movement. It is an important moment, where the Movement takes stock of progress and challenges, whilst reflecting on the implementation of global nutrition initiatives. Previously, the SUN Movement Global Gatherings have been held in New York (2013), Rome (2014), Milan (2015), and in Abidjan (2017). More information on previous SUN Global Gatherings can be found here.

Kathmandu Declaration

The 2019 SUN Global Gathering culminated in the Kathmandu Declaration, a non-binding declaration which is an expression of the SUN Movement’s commitment to ending malnutrition in all its forms. Framed around the action areas outlined in the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap 2016-2020, it is a tool to encourage all member countries and stakeholders to take the energy and inspiration from Kathmandu forward to the Tokyo Summit and beyond into the third phase of the SUN Movement. Read more about the Kathmandu Declaration here.

• The Kathmandu Declaration is available in English | French | Spanish | Russian

SUNGG19 in images

SUNGG19 Videos

• Opening Ceremony of the SUN Global Gathering 2019

Welcome from Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus,
Director-General, World Health Organization

Welcome from Amina Mohammed,
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nation

Plenary 1: From Kathmandu to Tokyo and Beyond – Committing to a Healthier, Better-Nourished Future

Plenary 2: SUN Rising: Our Progress, Our Future and the launch of the 2019 SUN Movement Progress Report

SUN Annual Report 2019 Animation
The Global State of Nutrition from the Global Nutrition Report’s Independent Expert Group

Plenary 3: Making the SUN Shine on all the Sustainable goals (Coming soon)

Closing Ceremony: Accelerating The End of Malnutrition, Leaving No One Behind

“Good nutrition is at the heart of economic and social development of the nations and is the key to eliminating poverty as well. Nutrition guarantees the future of our children, our future workforce and our economies. Nutrition drives the achieving of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – averting malnutrition will help achieve all 17 SDGs.”

Gerda Verburg, UN Assistant Secretary-General and SUN Movement Coordinator

“We are gathered in Kathmandu because we believe in shaping a world where every child’s right to adequate food and nutrition is protected and fulfilled, and where good nutrition provides the building blocks of healthy bodies, healthy minds, healthy futures and a healthy planet. We can all contribute, especially during the unparalleled windows of opportunity –the crucial first 1,000 days of life and during adolescence.”

Ms. Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF and Chair of the Lead Group of the SUN Movement

Media Coverage

In the News

2020 must be year of action on nutrition, advocates say – Teresa Welsh, Devex
‘Must do more, better and faster,’ SUN progress report on malnutrition says – Teresa Welsh, Devex
The SUN Movement confronts its future – Teresa Welsh, Devex
Women at center of post-earthquake nutrition efforts in Nepal – Teresa Welsh, Devex
Fragile states need more donor flexibility to improve nutrition – Teresa Welsh, Devex
Nearly half of Nepali children still malnourished – Sonia Awale Inter, Press Service News Agency
A nation’s most valuable asset is its children, and they are what countries need to invest in. An interview with Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director and Chair, SUN Movement Lead Group – The Kathmandu Post
Nepal pledges to meeting sustainable development goal on nutrition
Scaling up Nutrition – Civil Society Regional Coordinators awarded. Fyambe Media.
Nepal pledges to meeting Sustainable Development Goal on nutrition.

Blogs and articles

Thanks to all our SUN Movement members, partners and colleagues who have published blogs about the event:

Gender equality at the 2019 SUN GG and beyond: Kathmandu Call to Action on Women and Girls’ Nutrition – Nutrition International
Insider perspective: SUN Global Gathering – WBCSD
Engage, Inspire, Invest: SUN Global Gathering 2019 – SDG2 Advocacy Hub
SUN Movement Global Gathering brings together over 1,000 participants committed to improving nutrition in Nepal – SUN Movement Secretariat.
Kathmandu Call to Action on Women and Girls’ Nutrition: Time for a (peaceful) Revolution – Nutrition International
Basking in the SUN – Asma Lateef, Bread of the World
MPs pledge action on nutrition at SUN Global Gathering – Inter-Parliamentary Union
Parliamentarians pledge to take action on nutrition at the SUN Movement Global Gathering – SUN Movement Secretariat. Download and read the SUNGG19 Parliamentarian pledge – English│Français│Español
Sight and Life Nutrition Leadership Award presented in Nepal – Sight and Life
UNRC for Nepal sets the tone of breakthrough UN Network meeting in the lead up to the 2019 SUN Global Gathering – UN Network
SUN Global Gathering: Coming together towards a well-nourished planet and people -Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN)
India’s Nutrition Man Touches New Heights To Eradicate A Low Scourge – Poshan – All about Nutrition
Success for Foresight 2.0 Consultation in Nepal – GLOPAN
The power of gender equality to scale up nutrition – Jade Delgado, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Experiencing the SUN Global Gathering: A perspective from the MQSUN+ Lead for SUN Technical Assistance – Monica Kothari, MQSUN⁺
Technical assistance takeaways from the 2019 SUN Global Gathering – Amanda Coile, MQSUN⁺

Statements & Speeches

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali at “From Kathmandu to Tokyo and Beyond-Committing to a Healthier, Better Nourished Future”

“Nepal has shown our commitment through our national plan and programmes, ongoing actions and programme results. To eliminate all forms of malnutrition in Nepal, the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP) has been initiated since 2013. The national SUN Movement in Nepal that has brought together the donors, development partners, civil society, private sectors led by Government of Nepal. We are proud to share our success and learn more from other SUN Countries.”

Mr. Ishwar Pokharel, Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Nepal

“Investing in nutrition is the right thing to do – it is an investment in our future. SUN is and should continue to be a movement which ensures that governments own, lead and take responsibility for nourishing people and planet. Let’s use our collective voice to call on governments everywhere to take on this role, and let’s use our energy, our ideas and our passion to support them in delivering on this.”

H.E Jakaya Kikwete, SUN Lead Group member and Former President of Tanzania

Country information

NEPAL 🇳🇵

On 5 May 2011, The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal joined the SUN Movement with a letter of committment from the Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Population. At the time, Nepal had established a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral platform under the National Planning Commission, the highest planning level authority in the country.

Nepal country page