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Zambia has been selected to host the 2026 Global Child Nutrition Forum (GCNF), a major international gathering focused on advancing child nutrition policies and programmes. This is as announced by Office of the Vice President.
Speaking at the inaugural preparatory meeting in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President, Lillian Kapusana, said the forum, set for early November 2026 in Lusaka, will highlight Zambia’s progress in expanding the Home-Grown School Meals Programme, which currently benefits 4.6 million children in 106 of the country’s 116 districts across 8,193 schools.
She said the programme was expected to reach 5.6 million learners by 2026.
Kapusana, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring a successful event.
“We are not just hosting an event, we are showcasing Zambia’s commitment to child nutrition,” she said.
Kapusana, who also serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Permanent Secretaries’ Committee on Food and Nutrition, said hosting the forum offered Zambia an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in child nutrition and share best practices with the global community.
“This is an opportunity for Zambia to demonstrate its leadership in child nutrition and share best practices with the global community,”Kapusana said.
She added that the forum aimed to showcase national progress, share lessons learned, position Zambia as a regional leader in nutrition-sensitive development planning, and enhance the country’s global image.
Kapusana called on stakeholders to work closely with government to ensure the success of the event.
“We need to work together as a team to make this event a success and highlight Zambia’s commitment to child nutrition,” she said.
Similarly, Kelvin Mambwe, Permanent Secretary for Education Services in the Ministry of Education, said the event was expected to attract high-level participation, including government leaders, technical experts, and global partners.
Mambwe noted that Zambia’s school feeding programme has drawn an additional 2 million learners, particularly the most vulnerable, and said the country was honoured to host the 2026 forum.
“School feeding in Zambia has attracted an additional 2 million learners, especially the most vulnerable. We are honoured to host the 2026 Forum and share our experience with the world,” he said.
The meeting outlined immediate tasks, including establishing a national coordination structure, identifying key themes, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and developing a roadmap with clear milestones leading up to the event.
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