PAP to Host Third Global Parliamentary Summit Against Hunger and Malnutrition in 2026

The Pan‑African Parliament (PAP) has been formally announced as the host institution for the upcoming 2026 edition of the Global Parliamentary Summit Against Hunger and Malnutrition (GPSHM), following the successful conclusion of the Pre-Summit meeting held from 10–11 November 2025 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy.

The Pre-Summit, organized by FAO, brought together parliamentarians, UN officials and global stakeholders to map emerging trends, identify thematic priorities, and shape the agenda for the 2026 Summit. According to FAO, the GPSHM is a key legislative-parliamentary mechanism designed to elevate legislative and oversight functions in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and strengthening agrifood systems worldwide.

In her intervention representing the President of PAP, Hon. Dr Fatimetou Habib, First Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, reaffirmed PAP’s strong commitment to advancing the global agenda of ending hunger and malnutrition. She expressed PAP’s appreciation of FAO’s leadership in facilitating international parliamentary cooperation and emphasized that hosting the third Summit in 2026 is both an honour and a strategic opportunity for the continent.

“The Pan-African Parliament stands ready to host the global parliamentary community in 2026. Together, we must transform our shared vision of a world free from hunger and malnutrition into concrete, coordinated, and measurable action,” Dr Habib declared.

She highlighted that the 2026 Summit represents a pivotal moment for global parliamentary unity and action particularly for African parliamentarians to share experiences, showcase innovations in agrifood systems transformation, and demonstrate how policies can nourish populations while preserving resources for future generations.

The Pre-Summit meeting featured several distinguished participants, including Senator Gian Marco Centinaio (Vice-President of the Italian Senate), Hon. Mirco Carloni (President of the 13th Standing Committee on Agriculture), Hon. Luca De Carlo (President of the 9th Standing Committee), Mr Maurizio Martina (Deputy Director-General of FAO) and Ms Fatouma Seid (Deputy Director of Partnerships & UN Collaboration, FAO).

FAO’s past iterations of the Summit (held in Spain in 2018 and Chile in 2023) have laid the groundwork for parliamentary engagement on food security and nutrition. The adoption of the Global Parliamentary Pact against Hunger and Malnutrition underlines the clear, shared commitment of legislative bodies globally to accelerate action.

Hosting the 2026 Summit gives PAP and African parliamentarians a unique platform:

·       To illuminate Africa’s successes and innovations in agrifood system transformation;

·       To deepen legislative frameworks that ensure accountability, resource allocation and oversight for food security and nutrition;

·       To amplify Africa’s voice in shaping global parliamentary action towards Sustainable Development Goal 2 and beyond.

As PAP prepares to welcome the global parliamentary community in 2026, Dr Habib’s message is clear: the fight against hunger and malnutrition is not simply a humanitarian cause but a legislative, political and strategic imperative for the continent and the world.