African Nutrition Champion Demeke Mekonnen & AUDA-NEPAD CEO Dr. Nardos Bekele Discuss Nutrition Initiatives at UN FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, former Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia and founder of the YADAM Foundation, and currently serving as the African Nutrition Champion designated by the African Development Bank, recently met with Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD). Their discussions took place on the sidelines of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake event in Addis Ababa, and centered on two key areas: initiating and strengthening the role of African nutrition champions, and enhancing “Blue Nutrition” initiatives across the continent.
The meeting underscored a shared commitment to tackling malnutrition in Africa through high-level advocacy and innovative approaches. H.E. Demeke Mekonnen emphasized the crucial role of dedicated African nutrition champions in galvanizing political will and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to address the continent’s complex nutrition challenges.
Furthermore, the conversation delved into the significant potential of “Blue Nutrition” initiatives, which focus on leveraging aquatic food systems to improve dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes. This includes promoting the sustainable production and consumption of fish, aquaculture, and other aquatic foods, recognizing their rich nutritional content and their potential to contribute to food security and economic development in coastal and inland communities across Africa.
Both highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships and coordinated efforts to scale up effective nutrition interventions. Their discussion during this critical global summit signals a renewed push to integrate nutrition more deeply into Africa’s development agenda, ensuring that these vital conversations translate into tangible improvements in the health and well-being of African populations.
