Statement by the Paris N4G Private Sector Working Group

The first Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, held in London in 2013, secured over USD 4 billion in pledges for nutrition and spurred commitments from all sectors, including the private sector. The most recent N4G Summit, held in Japan in 2021, raised more than USD 27 billion, and garnered nearly 400 new commitments, including 51 commitments from businesses.

In preparation for Tokyo N4G, the Business Constituency Group, a coalition of six leading business associations, developed the Responsible Business Pledge for Better Nutrition, a framework to drive private sector leadership and specific, measurable achievable, relevant and time-bound commitments. The following statement outlines the PSWG’s collective objectives and activities.

Statement by the Paris N4G Private Sector Working Group: Driving Collective Action to Combat Malnutrition

First launched in 2013, the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit was hosted by a major food company, reflecting a way business can help combat malnutrition. Since then, N4G has united governments, private sector actors, philanthropies and other stakeholders to confront the global malnutrition crisis. Despite continued efforts, malnutrition remains a global challenge, affecting millions and limiting potential.

The 2021 Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) held in Tokyo, and the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) both underscored the urgency for coordinated action on nutrition. However, ensuring continuity and follow-up on these initiatives is critical. The N4G PSWG recognises the importance of unified efforts and rejects working in silos. It is committed to fostering open dialogues with governments, civil society, investors, and other private sector actors, to deliver tangible, scalable solutions. The PSWG prioritises impact and public health while recognizing the need to shape markets to improve nutrition outcomes.

As we approach the Paris N4G Summit, bold and collective action on nutrition is crucial to achieving our shared goals. Seven leading business organisations – Food Industry Asia (FIA); The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF); the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA); the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM); the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN); Nutrition Japan Public Private Platform (NJPPP); and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – have come together to inform private sector engagement. Four companies, selected by the French government to serve on the Paris N4G International Advisory Group, have been invited to join the PSWG as observers: dsm-firmenich, Groupe Nutriset, CAVACS International, and Inyene Agro Processing Factory. Their participation will be crucial in ensuring alignment and synergy within the N4G process. ATNI, GAIN and PPF, three global nonprofits, co-facilitate this working group ensuring that developing meaningful contributions to public health and nutrition remain the group’s primary goal.

Together, the objectives of the PSWG are clear:

• Mobilize private sector support for action on priority areas in tackling malnutrition, building upon the 2021 Responsible Business Pledge

To ensure continuity in the N4G processes by building on the themes identified in the 2019 Responsible Business Pledge for Better Nutrition (RBP). The themes, linked to the Paris N4G thematic areas addressed by the International Advisory Working Group, include Nutrition-Smart Agriculture; Product Reformulation and Innovation for Improved Nutrition; Business Model Innovation for Improved Nutrition; Responsible Marketing; Promoting Healthy Eating; Workforce Nutrition; and Finance and Investment for Improved Nutrition.

• Facilitate discussions with companies, providing guidance on the development of SMART nutrition commitments, while ensuring follow up on previously made commitments and fostering accountability

Companies adhering to the principles of engagement set by the N4G are encouraged to put forward SMART commitments aligned with the global nutrition agenda.

• Foster open dialogue between public and private sector actors The PSWG is committed to maintaining ongoing dialogues with companies, governments, investors, civil society, and other stakeholders to identify key themes for coordinated action. The aim is to develop a common roadmap for action and ensure a structured follow-up process after the N4G summit.

To coordinate private sector engagement in the N4G, the PSWG is hosting open roundtables on how business can best contribute to tackle malnutrition. The outcomes will be presented at the high-level external event on Business and Nutrition on 26 March 2025. The discussions will focus on specific thematic areas outlined in the Responsible Business Pledge, driving collaboration from producer to consumer, improving accountability, addressing interconnected challenges such as poverty and climate, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen gender equality and youth inclusion. These events will build on past successes, reflect on challenges, and promote open dialogue on the way forward.

This Statement provides a basis for further dialogue on the private sector’s role in addressing malnutrition. Tackling this complex challenge requires collaborative action and accountability and the PSWG is committed to take its responsibility.

This statement is written on behalf of all Private Sector Working Group members: The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF); Food Industry Asia (FIA); the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA); the Nutrition Japan Public Private Platform (NJPPP); the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM); the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN); and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

ATNI (Access to Nutrition Initiative), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Paris Peace Forum co-facilitate this PSWG.

For further information or questions, please reach out to:

Efi Chatzinikolaou efi.chatzinikolaou@accesstonutrition.org
Camilla De Nardi cdenardi@gainhealth.org
Maaike Klappe maaikeklappe@parispeaceforum.org