AKDN participates in Paris Nutrition for Growth Summit
France · · 2 min
AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Paris, France, 27 March 2025 – Malnutrition is one of the greatest threats to human development. It affects millions worldwide, particularly in regions facing poverty, conflict and the harshest effects of climate change – areas where the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is actively engaged. This week, AKDN is joining world leaders, policymakers and civil society organisations at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit to accelerate action and mobilise financing for nutrition, a critical driver of human and economic development.
Hosted by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the N4G Steering Group and the Paris Peace Forum – of which AKDN is a founding partner – the Summit is taking place on 27-28 March, following a 20-year tradition of being organised by the host country of the most recent Olympic and Paralympic Games.
President Emmanuel Macron hosted the gathering, where stakeholders committed to $27 billion in funding to tackle malnutrition. His Highness the Aga Khan attended a high-level event on 27 March hosted by President Macron, reaffirming AKDN’s commitment to advancing nutrition and food security. Watch President Macron’s speech.
The Summit is focused on three core areas essential to improving global nutrition: health and social protection, the transition to sustainable food systems, and the role of nutrition in building resilience in crises. It is also galvanising action on gender equality, data and innovation, and finance and accountability.
As part of its longstanding commitment to addressing malnutrition through integrated, multisectoral approaches, AKDN has committed $45 million to nutrition and food systems.
High-level side events earlier in the week explored strategies to embed nutrition into broader development efforts, close the $13 billion annual funding gap, and set measurable national targets. AKDN representatives contributed to key discussions, including:
March 24: A session on “Immunisation-Nutrition-Integration: Strengthening Health Systems for Sustainable Impact”, featuring Dr Aminah Jahangir (Regional Advisor, Health and Nutrition, Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan) alongside GAVI, Power of Nutrition and Results UK. Dr Jahangir shared results from AKDN’s integrated approach in northern Pakistan, where efforts have helped raise full immunisation coverage among children to 96 percent – well above the national average of 74 percent – and significantly reduce stunting rates to 18 percent (compared to the national average of 44 percent). Building on this model, AKDN has expanded efforts to underserved districts where immunisation rates were as low as 18 percent and acute malnutrition topped 25 percent.
March 27: A side event hosted by the OECD and Stronger Foundations for Nutrition, where Matt Reed (CEO, Aga Khan Foundation UK) moderated a panel on philanthropic action for nutrition.
AKDN’s participation at N4G 2025 underscores its commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and addressing food insecurity as part of its broader work in climate resilience and sustainable development.