An Event of Significance
Taking place during the United Nations General Assembly week, the event was led by media figure and anchor Janet Mbugua. It served as a platform to highlight opportunities for enhancing nutrition, ensuring everyone can achieve their fullest potential. Distinguished guests included Jon Batiste, singer, songwriter, and composer; Christy Turlington Burns, founder of Every Mother Counts; Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation; and UNICEF’s senior advisor on financing for child nutrition, Saul Guerrero Oteyza. Other notable attendees included Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s coordinating minister for health and social welfare, and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Adriana Diaz of CBS Mornings Plus and Bloomberg Television’s Francine Lacqua moderated the sessions.
The Challenge of Nutrition
“Goalkeepers aims to bring together a collective of global change agents who champion the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering inspiration and motivation among one another,” remarked Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation. “This year, we focus on over 400 million children who lack essential nutrients for growth and development. Although climate change complicates this challenge, progress remains achievable. By expanding existing resources, investing in promising research, and supporting champions like those we honour today, we can help every child reach their potential and enhance global resilience in a warming world.”
The World Health Organization reported in 2023 that 148 million children suffer from stunting—a condition that hampers both mental and physical development—while 45 million experience wasting, which leads to severe weakness and emaciation. These conditions represent the most severe forms of chronic and acute malnutrition.
Insights from the Goalkeepers Report
The event followed the release of the foundation’s eighth annual Goalkeepers report, titled “A Race to Nourish a Warming World.” This critical document warns that without immediate global action, climate change could result in an additional 40 million children facing stunting and 28 million more suffering from wasting between 2024 and 2050. The report highlights effective strategies to combat malnutrition, enhance resilience against climate impacts, and reduce childhood mortality. It also calls for renewed financial commitments to global health initiatives, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, and the Child Nutrition Fund.
Honouring Global Leaders
The prestigious 2024 Global Goalkeeper Award was bestowed upon Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, recognising his leadership in advancing the Global Goals. During his initial term, President Lula launched Bolsa Familia, a comprehensive anti-poverty programme that lifted millions out of poverty and dramatically reduced the nation’s stunting rate from 37% to 7% over three decades. Building on this legacy, he champions the Global Alliance on Hunger and Poverty as a key initiative of Brazil’s G20 presidency, promoting effective strategies to enhance food security, health, and equity.
The event also celebrated ten Goalkeepers Champions—experts, innovators, advocates, and leaders from various countries—who are pivotal in the movement towards a more nourished world. Honourees include Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed (Bangladesh), Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi (Nigeria), Beza Beshah Haile (Ethiopia), Dr. Zahra Hoodbhoy (Pakistan), Dr. Nancy Krebs (USA), Dr. Jemimah Njuki (Kenya), Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana (Rwanda), Lilian dos Santos Rahal (Brazil), Bhavani Shankar (UK), and Ratan Tata (India).