Turning absence into action: Advocating for U.S. leadership post-Nutrition for Growth (N4G)

On March 27 and 28, leaders from governments, businesses, non-profits, and civil society gathered in Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit. They announced more than $27 billion in pledges to help meet global nutrition goals. While many global leaders stepped up, the U.S. was noticeably absent. As other countries announced new funding for nutrition, the U.S. administration was closing down lifesaving programs. 

For years, nutrition has been a bipartisan priority. Yet the administration still forced U.S. nutrition programs to grind to a halt as it moved to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). While a few programs have been turned back on, many haven’t. Every day more children are going without lifesaving nutrition. As RESULTS volunteers are working with Congress to restore nutrition programs, we need to remind them: now is the time for more partnership and action, not less. 

Youth led the call to action, governments and philanthropy stepped up

Young people played a powerful role throughout the summit. In one session, youth leaders shared how they are organizing in their communities. At the closing ceremony, a group of children and youth delivered a strong call to action for thousands who participated in the global Nutrition Dialogues. Their message was clear: We need action, and youth must be part of leading it. “Nothing is for us without us — we demand to be part of the solutions and decision-making process.”

Several countries — including Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala, and Bangladesh — made notable new commitments. Philanthropies also stepped up. The Bezos Family Foundation launched a $500 million matching challenge for the Child Nutrition Fund. Mike Bezos said, “The need is now. But we have the solutions now, too…we just need to band together to do it immediately.”

The U.S. absence sent a discouraging message, though 

At N4G, while other countries showed leadership, the U.S. stayed silent. No senior officials attended, and no new funding or policy commitments were announced. 

Maternal and child health and nutrition are foundational for nearly every aspect of development. These programs support child survival, learning, women’s rights, and economic growth. Without strong U.S. support, the path to ending malnutrition becomes much harder. Without progress in nutrition, other global health goals are further out of reach. 

At best, the U.S. no-show at N4G was a missed opportunity. At worst, it raises serious questions about whether the U.S. is backing away from proven solutions that save lives.

It’s not too late to lead on nutrition

For decades, the U.S. has been a global leader in nutrition, helping ensure it is a core part of global health policy. 

U.S. foreign aid can and should be made more effective, but these changes must happen legally through Congress. That’s why RESULTS joined a legal brief supporting a lawsuit to block the Trump Administration’s attempt to shut down USAID.

U.S. leadership has been possible because of strong bipartisan support in Congress. This didn’t happen by accident. For 45 years, RESULTS advocates and others have pushed lawmakers to act. 

Thanks to the efforts of everyday people, global nutrition has remained on the U.S. agenda, even in difficult times. We’ve done it before. And with continued pressure, organizing, and hope, we can do it again.

The U.S. may have missed this moment, but the movement is strong. Every day is a new chance for our leaders to act — and we’ll be right here, pushing for change. The young leaders at N4G said it best, “Nutrition should not be a privilege; it should be a right for everyone.” We won’t stop until this right is guaranteed.

Banner photo credit: WFP/ Sayed Asif Mahmud