PARIS – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to tackling malnutrition, emphasizing the government’s dedication to improving food security, child health, and sustainable development. Speaking at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris, France, Koung highlighted Liberia’s progress in reducing child stunting while acknowledging persistent challenges.
Representing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Vice President stressed that nutrition is central to Liberia’s development agenda. He noted that stunting among children under five had declined from 45% in 2000 to 30% in 2018, a sign of progress but still a major concern. “Despite these gains, nearly 30% of Liberian children under five continue to suffer from stunting due to chronic malnutrition,” he said.
To address this issue, Koung outlined key government initiatives under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, including the National Agriculture Development Plan launched in July 2024. The plan seeks to boost local food production, reduce dependency on imports, and support smallholder farmers. Additionally, he highlighted Liberia’s Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Costed Strategic Plan, which integrates health, education, agriculture, and social protection efforts to combat malnutrition.
As part of Liberia’s commitment to the global Nutrition for Growth agenda, Koung announced a series of pledges to be achieved by 2030. These include allocating at least 5% of the national budget to nutrition programs, strengthening policy frameworks, increasing local food production by 40%, and scaling up nutrition-specific interventions by 50%.
He called on development partners, the private sector, and the international community to continue supporting Liberia’s efforts in nutrition and food security. “Nutrition is not just a health issue—it is a national development imperative,” Koung stated.
The N4G Summit brought together global leaders, policymakers, and development partners to advance commitments toward ending malnutrition. Liberia’s participation reaffirmed its dedication to improving health outcomes and ensuring a more food-secure future for its citizens.
