Dr. Azucena Milana-Dayanghirang, MCH, CESO III
Assistant Secretary, Department of Health, and Executive Director IV, National Nutrition Council, Republic of the Philippines
78th World Health Assembly (WHA)
GAIN Large Scale Food Fortification (LSSF) Side Event
Mode: Hybrid
Venue: UNICEF Geneva Office or Virtual
Time:Tuesday, May 20th 2025, 6:00 – 8:30pm CET
Overview
The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from Monday, May 19, 2025 to Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
At GAIN, we believe nutrition is the foundation of health. As the world gathers for the 78th World Health Assembly, we remain committed to shaping policies that ensure better nutrition for all. As part of our WHA 78 engagement, GAIN is co-hosting a high-level side event focused on large-scale food fortification. This event marks two years since the adoption of WHA Resolution 76.19 (Accelerating efforts to prevent micronutrient deficiencies through safe and effective food fortification)
GAIN's Participation- Large Scale Food Fortification Side Event
Accelerating Action on Micronutrient Deficiencies and their Consequences, including Spina Bifida: Delivering on WHA 76.19 through Large Scale Food Fortification
Agenda and Objectives
WHA 78 marks two years since passage of the World Health Assembly resolution 76.19 and one year before the first report on implementation is due.
This high-level side event kicks off a year-long drive to expedite implementation of the resolution at global, regional and national levels, featuring:
- Member states leading the way by strengthening, expanding and updating their large-scale food fortification programs
Advocates for a human rights approach to prevention of spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBH) and for full inclusion of people born with these conditions - Leaders from government, civil society, and development partners sharing the latest research and innovations to increase the effectiveness and impact of large-scale food fortification programs
In March 2025, stakeholders gathered at the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) in Paris, many of them registering new 4-year commitments to combat micronutrient malnutrition through large-scale food fortification. This side event will recognize and celebrate the milestones reached at N4G 2025 while pointing the way forward towards implementation of the WHA resolution.
Speakers and Voices Driving Change
This side event will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers representing a cross-section of global leadership, technical expertise, and lived experience.
Dr. Kemel A. Ghotme, MD, PhD
Paediatric Neurosurgeon, Professor, Researcher, and Global Health Advocate
Marti J. van Liere (PhD)
Director of Programs at the Micronutrient Forum
![Yakob Seman Ahmed [MPH, MBA, PhD]](/sites/default/files/styles/thumb_cover/public/publications/4wha.png?itok=zhGghyzo)
Yakob Seman Ahmed [MPH, MBA, PhD]
Health Policy Expert
Shruthi Cyriac
Senior Program Manager at the Micronutrient Forum
Svenja Jungjohann
Senior Technical Specialist-Knowledge Leadership
Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafo
Directorate General of Health Services Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Dr. Salima Al Maamari
Director of the Nutrition Department at the Ministry of Health in the Sultanate, Oman
Sylvia Roozen, PhD
Secretary General of the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalu
Victoria Sandova
President of the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Anastasia Smith, DrPH, MPH
Clinical Research Manager of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
Caitlin Smethurst
Senior Officer for nutrition advocacy and communications at the Gates Foundation
Resources and Assets
GAIN Working Paper n°52 WHA Nutrition Targets
Stunting and overweight in children under five years of age remain major malnutrition challenges in the 12 countries in Africa and Asia where GAIN operates: Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. These forms of malnutrition appear in two of the six Global Nutrition Targets of the World Health Assembly (WHA), which are meant to be achieved by 2025. This paper evaluates progress towards these two WHA goals in these 12 countries, identifies lessons learned, and offers actionable insights for evidence-based policymaking.
While some countries have successfully reduced stunting and overweight, overall progress, particularly on stunting, remains slow. Using globally accepted methodologies, we find that of the 12 countries studied only Kenya is on track to meet the WHA stunting target by 2025, while the other 11 countries are classified as off track, having made some progress. For child overweight, nine countries, namely Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda are on track, while the remaining three are off track.
Through deep dives into selected cases, this paper emphasises the need for multi-sectoral approaches, strong political commitment, and targeted interventions. A shift towards integrated, data-driven, and context-specific solutions is crucial.
Accelerated, evidence-based action must be taken. This includes highlighting where efforts need to concentrate, guiding policy and programme adjustments, and enabling more targeted interventions to help countries achieve and surpass the reductions in child stunting and the limitations on the rates of child overweight embodied in the WHA 2025 nutrition targets.
Past WHA Events
At WHA 77, global leaders made significant commitments to strengthening food systems, advancing nutrition policies, and tackling food insecurity.
WHA76 Side Event - Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences through safe and effective food fortification
Partners and Collaboration
This side event is made possible through strong collaboration with a diverse group of partners committed to advancing large-scale food fortification, health and nutrition.
