Report by: Fayza Khan, President (2025-2027)

The Pakistan Nutrition & Dietetic Society successfully hosted its 3rd International Conference, Nutri-Connect 2025 bringing together national and international experts to advance nutrition science, leadership, innovation, and stronger integration of clinical and public health nutrition. 

The Pakistan Nutrition & Dietetic Society (PNDS) successfully organized its 3rd International Conference, Nutri-Connect 2025, from 17–19 October 2025 at Hamdard University, Islamabad, in collaboration with The Nutrition Society UK. Under the theme “Bridging the Gap Between Clinical and Public Health Nutrition,” the conference brought together experts from clinical nutrition, public health, academia, research, and policy sectors to address Pakistan’s pressing nutrition challenges, including malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.

A special highlight of the opening ceremony was started with the welcome note by the President, Rabia Anwer and Key note speech by the Scientific Chair, Prof. Dr. Nilofer Fatimi Safdar followed by the congratulatory messages from Prof Mary Ward, President of the Nutrition Society, UK, Mr. Mark Hollingsworth, CEO of The Nutrition Society UK, Prof Chwang Lee, Honorary Life President, AFDA & a video message from the President of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), who emphasized the importance of global partnerships, professional collaboration, and empowering the next generation of nutrition leaders and recognizing PNDS’s efforts in advancing nutrition science and professional leadership in Pakistan. 

A major scientific highlight included 21 pre-conference workshops conducted both onsite and online across PNDS chapters, focusing on research methods, pediatric malnutrition, micronutrient management, food systems, nutrition indicators, and digital tools such as Win-Diet software. Leadership and governance sessions further strengthened participants’ professional and strategic capacities.

The three-day scientific program featured keynote lectures, panel discussions, and thematic sessions on malnutrition, NCDs and mental health, nutrition across the lifespan, critical care nutrition, enteral and parenteral feeding, AI and digital innovations, gut microbiome research, food systems transformation, and social behavior change communication. The conference received 179 scientific abstracts, creating a vibrant platform for research dissemination and innovation. 

A brief yet vibrant feature was the Creative Nutrition Competition, where students and professionals show cased evidence-based nutrition messages through infographics, short videos, and healthy recipes, highlighting innovative approaches to public nutrition communication.

The conference concluded with renewed commitment to evidence-based practice, research translation, leadership development, and stronger collaboration between clinical and public health nutrition sectors, reaffirming PNDS’s pivotal role in shaping a resilient and integrated nutrition system in Pakistan.