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Canada announces historic investment in the global fight against malnutrition
February 6, 2025
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Qatar Fund for Development, Canada, Nutrition International commit to urgent action on child survival
For the first time this century, the number of children dying before their fifth birthday is projected to increase. In Doha this week, Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, and Nutrition International discussed the urgency of the moment and what can be done to protect children’s lives.
Posted on December 6, 2025
Doha, Qatar – On the margins of the Doha Forum, Qatar Fund for Development and Canada, in partnership with Nutrition International, met to advance critical work on child survival with a singular focus at its core: ending preventable child deaths within a generation. The discussions created alignment on the urgency of the current situation, and a shared commitment to set the foundation for expanded partnership and action.
Despite progress over many decades, the world still loses five million children every year to causes that are fully preventable, with half of these deaths due to malnutrition. With global cooperation under strain and traditional development funding contracting, an additional five million children are projected to die by 2030. Renewed leadership and coordinated action are urgently needed to protect children and safeguard long-term development gains.
“Canada is continuing to advance the child survival and nutrition agenda while working with important partners like Qatar Fund for Development and Nutrition International to end preventable child deaths,” said Hon. Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development.
During the meeting, Hon. Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, H.E. Fahad Al-Sulaiti, Director General, Qatar Fund for Development and Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Nutrition International highlighted the importance of ending preventable child deaths through coordinated investments in health and nutrition. The meeting built on ongoing cooperation between Canada and Qatar under their existing Memorandum of Understanding, providing a framework for deepening dialogue with a mutually trusted partner – Nutrition International.
“When new partners come together to talk about saving children’s lives, it’s the beginning of a hopeful story with a bold ambition: every child, from the beginning, must be fully protected and ready to learn,” said Joel Spicer, President and CEO of Nutrition International. “We read so many stories in the news these days about how divided we are, how fearful we should be, and how broken our world is. But there is a different path which is very much alive when we align around shared values and the importance of protecting our children.”
The discussion explored how closer alignment between Qatar Fund for Development, Canada, and Nutrition International could help elevate the central role nutrition plays in global child survival efforts. Participants also underscored the essential role of nutrition not only for child survival, but for healthy brain development and a child’s ability to learn – making early nutrition a foundation for stronger education outcomes. In addition, there was acknowledgement of the critical role of maternal health and nutrition, the need for integrated approaches that bring greater efficiency to countries, and the importance of identifying creative financing solutions together.
Over the coming year, Qatar Fund for Development and Canada, in partnership with Nutrition International, will work with countries and partners to translate this shared vision into action. This includes exploring opportunities to expand collaboration, supporting promising approaches that integrate nutrition and child health, and aligning financing behind interventions with the greatest impact. These steps will set the stage for increased global momentum and demonstrate that global cooperation is possible when the world comes together to protect the health and potential of the next generation.
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