Unlocking investment for nutrition sensitive food systems research: turning N4G commitments into UNFSS+4 actions

The burdens of malnutrition continue to grow.Two billion people lack key micronutrients; by 2030, one child in five could be stunted and three billion adults overweight or obese. Food systems are not nutrition-sensitive.Unequal food environments and certain trade regimes keep healthy diets out of reach for many households, while food industry stimulates demand for cheap, unhealthy ultra-processed foods high in fat, sugar and salt and soft drinks. Structural barriers hinder progress.Short-term politicaleconomic incentives and power imbalances; sectoral silos (agriculture, aquaculture, nutrition, health, energy, environment, education or trade); fragmented global natural-resource governance; and a science-policy gap fuelled by misinformation. Eleven research priorities can fill knowledge gaps.(1) sustainable and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, (2) local food systems and short supply chains, (3) climate change and environmental degradation (including land, water, ocean) impacts on food quality, diversity and safety, (4) trade-offs related to food processing (nutrient preservation vs. health risks vs. prices), (5) consequences of international trade on healthiness and sustainability of diets, (6) food environments impact on diets, (7) political and socio-economic drivers of diet, (8) equity in access to sustainable heathy diets, (9) multi-level governance and coordination, (10) true cost accounting and (11) nutrition-sensitive innovations. Seven priority actions can unlock progress.(1) cross-sector coordination, (2) local capacity building, (3) multi-stakeholder partnerships, (4) inclusive policy design, (5) nutrition-focused social-protection schemes & inclusion of health in all policies, and (6) targeted funding for research on climate-resilient and nutritionsensitive food systems, (7) full integration of nutrition as an essential driver to the food systems transformation dynamics. N4G pledges and the UNFSS+4 provide the financing window to turn these recommendations into support for research and innovation toward sustained, equitable action for healthier, more resilient and sustainable food systems.