As part of the celebrations marking the 80th Anniversary of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), IUNS is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural IUNS Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award, with applications opening from today (2 July 2026).
Established in honour of Professor Jo Hautvast, the new award recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of nutrition science and its application to improve health and well-being. The award reflects IUNS’s enduring commitment to fostering excellence and supporting leaders who are shaping the future of nutrition worldwide.
The introduction of this prestigious award is one of the initiatives commemorating 80 years of IUNS leadership in promoting nutrition science and international collaboration. Researchers, educators, policymakers, and professionals whose work has had a substantial impact at the national, regional, or global level are encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on eligibility criteria, requirements, and the selection process is available here.
For any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact the IUNS Office at office@iuns.org.
Applications will be accepted through the online application only. Submissions by email or other means will not be considered.
We are pleased to announce that the recordings of the IUNS–FANUS Joint Webinar 2026, held on 2–3 June 2026, are now available to watch on the IUNS website.
The webinar series brought together researchers, academics, healthcare professionals, and students from around the world to explore current topics in nutrition science through a programme of expert presentations and discussions.
Whether you joined us live and would like to revisit the sessions, or were unable to attend every presentation, you can now access the full webinar recordings at your convenience.
IUNS extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, moderators, participants, and FANUS for their valuable contributions and support in making this webinar a success.
We hope you enjoy the recordings and look forward to welcoming you to future IUNS events.
Article written by Dr Robert Fungo, current President of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS)
The IUNS-FANUS Joint Webinar 2026 marked a significant milestone in fostering meaningful scientific exchange between the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS). Held over two days on 2–3 June 2026, the event attracted overwhelming interest, with registration closing early due to high demand. It built directly on the success of the inaugural regional webinar in March 2025, responding to feedback from IUNS Adhering Bodies calling for deeper, more substantive engagement across regions and disciplines.
The planning process exemplified responsive and participatory collaboration. IUNS and FANUS leadership drew on insights from previous events and member societies to shape the programme. A registration process invited participant input on topics, allowing the community to help prioritise emerging issues. This survey-driven approach ensured relevance, blending global perspectives with Africa-centered solutions. Under my leadership at FANUS and IUNS representatives, the team curated a balanced agenda that moved seamlessly from problem analysis to evidence-based action. Moderators, including Dr. Fungo, Dr. Habiba Hassan-Wassef, and Prof. Francis Bruno Zotor, played a pivotal role in facilitating dynamic discussions.
Day 1 focused on “Understanding the Nutrition Challenge,” examining the evolving burden of malnutrition in all its forms-micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-within shifting food environments. Speakers such as IUNS President Prof. Hyun-Sook Kim, Dr. Saskia Osendarp (Micronutrient Forum), Dr. Yunhee Kang, and Tunisian specialists Prof. Henda Jamoussi and Dr. Rym Ben Othman shared cutting-edge evidence on determinants, dietary transitions, and policy implications. Participants gained nuanced insights into how global trends intersect with local African realities.
Day 2 shifted to “Evidence for Actions to Address the Problems,” emphasising translation into practice. Sessions covered ultra-processed foods and food systems transformation (addressed by Prof. Amos Laar and Prof. Jacques Delarue), nutrition and cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (addressed by Prof. Alan Jackson), mycotoxin food safety risks (addressed by Prof. Sheila Okoth and Dr. Lindy Joy Rose), and the design and scaling of school feeding programmes, featuring experts like Kwadzanai Nyanungo and Dr. Jacqueline Kung’u. Discussions highlighted practical innovations, partnerships (including contributions from Mr Francois Stepman), and the role of resilient systems in sustainable development.
One of the webinar’s greatest strengths was its emphasis on interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Attendees from researchers and academics to policymakers and practitioners, engaged actively through Q&A sessions, fostering connections that extend beyond the event. My closing remarks on Day 2 underscored the importance of translating evidence into tangible improvements in nutrition outcomes across Africa, reinforcing FANUS’s commitment to capacity building and leadership.
The process from idea gathering to delivery revealed key lessons: community input via surveys enhances ownership; balanced global-African speaker representation enriches perspectives; and structured progression from analysis to action sustains engagement. Challenges such as high demand and time-zone coordination were managed effectively through accessible virtual formats. Overall, the IUNS-FANUS webinar demonstrated the power of partnership in advancing nutrition science. It not only disseminated knowledge but also inspired collaborative action toward resilient health systems. As participants carry forward these insights, the event stands as a model for future regional initiatives, strengthening the global nutrition community’s ability to address pressing challenges with context-specific African solutions.
The XXI Latin American Congress of Nutrition (SLAN 2026) will take place from 25–29 October 2026 in Santiago, Chile, bringing together researchers, academics, health professionals, policymakers, and students from across the region to discuss the future of food systems and nutrition. The congress will be held at the Centro Cultural CEINA, a prominent cultural and educational venue located in the heart of Santiago.
Under the theme “Transforming Food Systems in Latin America: From Evidence to Action,” SLAN 2026 aims to promote scientific exchange and foster collaborative solutions to address the region’s most pressing nutrition and food-system challenges. The congress programme will feature scientific sessions, symposia, oral and poster presentations, networking opportunities, and an exhibition pavilion showcasing organizations and institutions working in nutrition and related fields.
The event will also offer pre-congress workshops on 24–25 October, providing participants with opportunities to develop practical skills, deepen their knowledge, and expand professional networks in an international learning environment.
SLAN 2026 welcomes participation from both members and non-members of the Society and will include presentations in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, reinforcing its commitment to regional collaboration and scientific excellence. Registration opened on 2 March 2026, and further details regarding the scientific programme and participation opportunities are available through the congress website.
The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) held its online General Assembly today, bringing together more than 100 representatives from Adhering Bodies and partner organisations worldwide. We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their engagement and for their patience at the start of the meeting while voting members were verified to confirm quorum.
The strong participation reflects the continued commitment of our global community to advancing nutritional science and strengthening international collaboration. It was a pleasure to see members actively contributing, sharing updates, and supporting the ongoing work of IUNS.
The General Assembly also provided an opportunity to highlight several important developments underway across the Union. In the coming weeks, IUNS will open applications for the Re-Integration Grants and launch the new Jo Hautvast Award. Planning is also underway to establish a new IUNS Early Career Committee to support the development of early-career researchers in nutritional science. In addition, preparations are moving forward for the IUNS 80th Anniversary celebration event, which will take place in London this November.
The slides and minutes from the meeting will be shared with Adhering Bodies following Council review and approval.
We thank all participants once again for their contributions to today’s meeting and for their continued support of IUNS.
The Annual Congress of the Hungarian Society of Nutrition will take place from 1–3 October in Balatonkenese, located on the eastern shore of Lake Balaton, approximately 100 km from Budapest. As a rotating conference, the event is hosted in a different city each year.
The congress will bring together a multidisciplinary community of medical doctors, dietitians, nutrition experts, researchers, marketing specialists, university lecturers, and students. While the official language of the meeting is Hungarian, selected sessions in English will feature invited international experts and PhD students studying in Hungary.
International presenters and participants are warmly welcomed. Further information is available at www.mttt.hu. For registration or presentation enquiries, please contact MTTT@med-unideb.hu or Rurik.Imre@semmelweis.hu.
The Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association (SNDA) successfully hosted NutriConnect 2026, its flagship annual continuing education event, bringing together close to 100 nutritionists and dietitians, for a day of learning, networking, and regional collaboration. Held on 28 March 2026 in Singapore, the event focused on the theme “Nutrition and Health Promotion for Chronic Disease Prevention: Asian Perspective”, reflecting the growing importance of culturally relevant and evidence-based nutrition strategies in addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases across Asia.
Under the leadership of Dr Kalpana Bhaskaran, President of SNDA (2024–2026), and organised by the Continuing Education Committee comprising Ms Lee Su Yin (CE Chairperson), Ms Chow Pek Yee, and Ms Yap Mei Chin, the event achieved a full-house attendance and featured an impressive line-up of distinguished speakers from Singapore, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong SAR, and Malaysia. The programme exemplified SNDA’s commitment to fostering professional development and strengthening regional partnerships within the nutrition community.
The session started with sharing of how evidence-based dietary recommendations can be adapted to Asian food cultures for chronic disease prevention. This was followed by sessions examining dietary patterns and public health nutrition trends across Asia. Highlights included presentations on the role of traditional dietary practices in disease prevention, findings from China’s 30-year nutrition surveillance data, and emerging opportunities in personalised nutrition through continuous glucose monitoring technologies.
The afternoon symposium showcased successful nutrition promotion initiatives from across the region. Speakers shared real-world examples of community-based interventions, including maternal nutrition programmes in Indonesia, Thailand’s efforts to improve the nutritional quality of community-made and street foods, Singapore’s national “Less Salt, More Taste” movement, and strategies to create healthier food environments beyond the home. These sessions provided valuable insights into translating nutrition science into practical, scalable public health actions.
Beyond knowledge exchange, NutriConnect 2026 served as a platform for strengthening professional networks and fostering collaboration among nutrition scientists and practitioners across ASEAN and the wider Asian region. The diversity of perspectives shared throughout the event underscored the importance of cross-country learning in addressing common nutrition and health challenges while respecting local cultures and food systems.
As chronic diseases continue to pose significant public health concerns globally, NutriConnect 2026 demonstrated the power of regional collaboration in advancing nutrition science, informing policy and practice, and inspiring innovative solutions that can improve population health outcomes. Through events such as these, SNDA continues to contribute to the development of a connected and forward-looking nutrition community, supporting the broader mission of promoting communication and collaboration among nutrition professionals worldwide.
The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), in partnership with the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS), will convene the second webinar in its regional series on 2–3 June 2026.
Registration is now full. Thank you for your interest and support.
Designed in response to Adhering Bodies’ call for more substantive scientific exchange, this series provides a platform for dialogue across regions and disciplines. Following the first webinar in March 2025, the upcoming session will address the theme: “Building Resilient Nutrition and Health Systems: Global Challenges and African Solutions”.
The programme is structured to move from analysis to application. Day one will examine the evolving burden and determinants of malnutrition in all its forms, including micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases within changing food environments. Day two will focus on translating evidence into action, with sessions covering ultra-processed foods and food systems transformation, nutrition and cancer in LMICs, food safety challenges such as mycotoxins, and the design and scaling of school feeding programmes in African contexts.
This webinar is particularly relevant for researchers, academics, and practitioners seeking to:
Situate their work within current global and African nutrition research priorities
Examine how emerging evidence is informing policy and programme design
Analyse implementation challenges across diverse country contexts
Identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and research partnerships
Engage directly with leading experts through moderated discussions and Q&A sessions
By bridging research, policy, and practice, the webinar aims to support more effective and context-responsive approaches to strengthening nutrition and health systems.
South Africa is celebrating scientific excellence and food security leadership as the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) honours Prof Liza Korsten on the International Day of Plant Health on 12 May. Prof Korsten has received the prestigious 2025 NSTF-South32 Lifetime Award in recognition of more than four decades of pioneering work in plant pathology, food safety, and sustainable agriculture.
A globally respected scientist and Professor of Plant Health and Food Safety at the University of Pretoria, Prof Korsten has played a major role in advancing systems that protect crops, improve post-harvest quality, and ensure safer food from farm to table. Her research has contributed to reducing crop losses, strengthening food safety standards, and promoting environmentally responsible disease control methods.
Speaking on the importance of her work, Prof Korsten emphasised that “safe food is a basic human right, and food security is a moral obligation.”
Her contributions extend beyond research into policy and international collaboration, including work with the World Health Organization, FAO, and the African Union. The NSTF says her legacy continues to inspire future scientists and strengthen global food security efforts.
The Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), in collaboration with its members and strategic partners, continues to lead nutrition advocacy, professional development, and public engagement across Ghana.
Championing Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL)
A central pillar of GAND’s advocacy is the promotion of Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) to foster healthier food environments and reduce the growing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Through stakeholder engagements, public campaigns, and targeted communication strategies, GAND is contributing to national efforts to reform food labelling systems, empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices and holding the food industry to greater accountability.
Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN) Advocacy
Recognising nutrition as a foundational pillar of child development and national growth, GAND and its partners are actively engaged in Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN) advocacy. Through the Nourishing Futures campaign, GAND collaborates with SEND Ghana, the Eleanor Crook Foundation, and other public health actors to advocate for increased government investment in nutrition, particularly for women and children. These efforts underscore the vital link between adequate nutrition, improved learning outcomes, and long-term human capital development.
Nourishing Futures campaign — MCN advocacy visual
Nourishing Futures campaign — MCN advocacy visual
Media Engagements with SEND Ghana
GAND has amplified its advocacy reach through strategic media partnerships with SEND Ghana, leveraging television, radio, and digital platforms to raise public awareness on critical nutrition issues, including FOPWL and MCN financing. These engagements have helped shape public discourse, strengthened calls for evidence-based policy action, and elevated nutrition as a national priority in Ghana.
GAND President discussing Nourishing Futures on Woezor TV
Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on Food Policy Campaign
In its commitment to professional excellence, GAND continues to organise Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes for nutritionists and dietitians. Covering clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, and emerging global trends, these programmes ensure that practitioners remain competent, current, and responsive to evolving nutrition challenges in Ghana and beyond.
Stakeholder engagement — panel discussion on food policy media campaign
Stakeholder engagement — panel discussion on food policy media campaign
COND 2026 official flyer — 4–7 August 2026, University for Development Studies, Tamale
Through its integrated work in FOPWL advocacy, MCN campaigns, media engagement, professional development, and strategic partnerships, GAND continues to position itself as the leading voice for nutrition and improved health outcomes in Ghana and across Africa.
The following images document key Front-of-Pack Warning Label (FOPWL) advocacy events conducted by GAND, VAST Ghana and SEND Ghana across Ghana, engaging communities, nutrition professionals, policymakers, and the public in the campaign to promote mandatory food warning labels.
FOPWL Stakeholder Engagement — Community workshop participants gather for a group photo FOPWL Advocacy Session — Virtual stakeholder consultation on Front-of-Pack Warning Labels
(Left) FOPWL Key Stakeholders — Nutrition professionals and participants policy advocates at the engagement meeting Ghana
(Left) FOPWL Working Groups — Participants inbreakout session discussing food policy questions
(Right) FOPWL Community Awareness — Audience at the FOPWL community sensitisation event
FOPWL Children’s Participation — Young consumers FOPWL Community Group Photo — Participants andengage with the ‘Know What You Eat’ campaign advocates at the FOPWL public awareness event
