Engaging private sector towards addressing malnutrition

Increasingly, the dialogue on the multi-dimensional issues around malnutrition have started recognizing the need for cross-sectoral approaches- including the role of the private sector. There has been an increase in the involvement of the private sector in improving nutrition outcomes overall, however, myriad challenges remain around public-private partnerships. This session aims to provide an opportunity to discuss the role of private sector in collaborating with public sector to address malnutrition and achieving nutritional equity. Particularly, the goal of the session is to address the following: 1. What role can the private sector play in addressing malnutrition? 2. What are some of the programmes currently being funded through Corporate Social Responsibility in the nutrition space? 3. What are the gaps that remain unaddressed and what role can the private sector play in addressing them? 4. How can the private sector be engaged towards achieving nutritional equity? (e.g., measuring impact of public private engagement, scaling successful nutrition initiatives, advocacy) 5. What the private sector can do to complement government programs (how can private sector provide additional resources, do some gap funding, and optimize efficiencies) and de-burden the overburdened government health systems, especially in the nutrition space.