Egypt Launches National Food, Nutrition Plan, Roadmap to Combat Anemia

Egypt has officially launched its National Operational Plan for Food and Nutrition Systems 2025–2030, alongside a new Roadmap to Accelerate Anemia Reduction, in a major step aimed at improving the health and well-being of millions of Egyptians and bolstering the country’s human development agenda.

The launch event, held in Cairo, was attended by high-level government officials, development partners, and representatives of the United Nations, underscoring the country’s multisectoral commitment to transforming its food and nutrition landscape.

In her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) Elena Panova praised the Egyptian government’s “deep and sustained commitment” to placing food security and nutrition at the heart of its national development strategies. The UN official also commended Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, for his leadership and recognized the collaborative efforts of multiple ministries in shaping the newly launched plans.

“Transforming food systems and improving nutrition outcomes cannot be the responsibility of one institution or sector alone—it is a shared national endeavor where cross-sectoral cooperation will yield greater impacts,” Panova emphasized.

The newly launched National Operational Plan builds upon several recent initiatives, including the National Food and Nutrition Strategy (2022–2030), the Stunting and Malnutrition Prevention Programme, the National Flour Fortification Programme, the Takaful and Karama social protection programs, the First 1000 Days initiative, regulations governing the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, and the accreditation of health facilities as baby-friendly.

Meanwhile, the Roadmap to Accelerate Anemia Reduction aims to improve the health of pregnant women and children, with anticipated benefits for children’s educational performance. Highlighting the economic rationale behind the plan, the UN official noted that every US\$1 invested in reducing anemia in women could generate up to US\$12 in economic returns.

Egypt has also been lauded for aligning its food systems transformation with climate action, promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable local food production, reducing food loss and waste, and enhancing rural livelihoods and value chains. These steps position Egypt as a regional leader in food systems innovation and resilience.

The United Nations outlined four critical enablers essential for the successful implementation of Egypt’s new plans:

- Strong multisectoral coordination mechanisms

- Robust accountability and monitoring frameworks

- Investment in data systems and evidence-based decision-making

- Sustainable financing and capacity development

The UN pledged continued support to Egypt through technical expertise, policy guidance, institutional strengthening, and knowledge exchange.

“We are standing today at a pivotal juncture—one where vision and commitment must now translate into coordinated action, sustained results, and collective accountability,” the UNRC concluded. “Let us keep building this success together, hand in hand, to nourish every child, empower every woman, and ensure that Egypt’s food systems are not only resilient and productive, but truly transformative.”