2022 Forman Lecture: The AU’s Minata Samaté Cessouma on Africa’s current and future nutrition challenges

In an era of global uncertainties, including high food prices, political instability, and growing climate impacts, Africa faces unique challenges compared to other regions of the world. It must feed and nourish its young, expanding population while sustainably transforming its agriculture and food systems for the future. These are the issues that H.E. Ambassador Minata Samaté Cessouma, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, addressed in delivering IFPRI’s 32nd annual Martin J. Forman Memorial Lecture on December 12, 2022.

“These challenges, ladies and gentlemen, call for urgent action from all of us … we have to achieve what is necessary to shift our current outlook on nutrition,” she told the online audience.

The Forman lecture, focused on the future of nutrition research and policymaking, celebrates Martin J. Forman’s contributions to global nutrition as former head of nutrition at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for more than 20 years, which include establishing the United Nations Subcommittee on Nutrition. Dr. Forman’s son Kenan, sister, and other family members participated in the online event.