30. Juni 2026 Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan on “The first 1,000 days: How child nutrition shapes a lifetime”

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Excellencies, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Every child deserves a fair start: with food to grow, to learn, to play and to dream.

Yet, for too many children, life starts with hunger. Or with food that fills the stomach but lacks the vitamins and minerals that they need.

Studies show: the first one thousand days are the most crucial. From pregnancy to a child’s second birthday, nutrition decides whether a child can develop well, will stay healthy, and succeed later in life.

This short period, 1000 days, can shape a whole life.

And yes, over the past two decades, the world has made progress on fighting child malnutrition. But the improvements have been far too slow.

Conflicts, climate shocks and rising prices are pushing healthy food out of reach for too many. And with the impacts of the war now in the Persian Gulf, we are heading towards a severe food crisis, even if the Strait of Hormuz does fully open in a few weeks. It is a crisis that is already hitting children and women the hardest.

Globally, one in four young children is stunted. One in two children suffers from hidden hunger, meaning they lack essential vitamins and minerals.

Let’s call it what it is: a violation of human rights. And it is unacceptable. It creates vicious circles of hunger, poverty and inequality. Moreover, malnutrition holds back entire societies. It creates instability. And it costs the global economy up to 4.1 trillion US dollars every year, almost as much as Germany's gross domestic product.

But above all, child nutrition is a question of human dignity.

A well-nourished child has a better chance to learn.

A well-nourished mother has a better chance to give birth safely.

A community that invests in nutrition, invests in health, education, equality, economic strength and stability at the same time.

That is why the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is putting mothers and children at the centre of our work on food security.

With our initiative „Strong for Life through Nutrition Security“, we strengthen school meals, maternal and child health, and resilient food systems. We work together with partner governments, the United Nations, civil society, foundations and the private sector.

Today’s panel – really great panel, thank you all for being here – will focus on one solution for child malnutrition that has very strong potential: large-scale food fortification.

Adding safe levels of essential vitamins and minerals to food that people eat every day – such as flour, rice, oil and salt – is a safe bet. It is no substitute for diverse, healthy diets. But it is a proven, affordable and scalable way to fight hidden hunger – and to do it fast.

Every dollar invested in fortification can generate around 27 dollars in economic benefit in the long run – because well-nourished children grow into adults who are healthier and more resilient. Fortification can help prevent health damage that would otherwise last a lifetime.

This is why I am proud to launch, together with our partners, the Call to Action on catalysing large-scale food fortification to end child malnutrition by 2030. A call that is needed today!

Our ambition is clear: all children should have access to food that provides the vitamins and minerals they need to grow, learn and thrive.

I invite all of you to join us. Governments, international organisations, civil societies, researchers and companies all have a role to play. Investing in child nutrition is one of the most powerful investments we can make. It is an investment in children’s bodies and minds, in equal opportunities, and in the future we all share. So, let’s make this investment together.

Thank you very much.