GFPR 2024 | SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL LAUNCH IN NEPAL

In South Asia, poor diet quality is a major contributor to malnutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Throughout the region, a heavy reliance on cereals and starchy roots, plus rising consumption of fried snacks and other calorie-dense foods, contribute to rising overweight and obesity even as undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies persist. The relatively high cost of nutrient-rich foods puts healthy diets out of reach for 75 percent of the population, while cereal-centric policies and behavioral and cultural preferences have contributed to the heavy reliance on cereals.

The 2024 Global Food Policy Report examines policies, innovations, and governance solutions to strengthen diet quality and nutrition sustainably and highlights the substantial benefits that sustainable healthy diets would bring for people and the planet. Tailored to appropriate contexts, these approaches and recommendations from the report can help promote a shift toward sustainable, healthy diets. Making such a shift necessitates commitments to prioritize diet and nutrition goals, measures to mitigate climate change impacts, financial investments, and a robust policy environment capable of balancing developmental aspirations and stakeholders’ interests.

Thus, the Nepal launch of IFPRI’s 2024 GFPR is being organized as a South Asia Regional Level launch, to be held on 8-9 August in Kathmandu. In alignment with our shared commitment to enhancing food security and transforming food systems in the region, IFPRI is collaborating with the BIMSTEC and SAARC Secretariats and the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) to jointly organize this event.

The event is both in-person and online. To join the event virtually, please register here.