Parliamentarians from more than 100 countries are expected in Nairobi for a two-day summit examining how laws, government budgets and parliamentary oversight can strengthen food security amid climate pressures.
NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is preparing to host more than 250 lawmakers from over 100 countries for an international summit on hunger and malnutrition, placing Parliament at the centre of discussions on how governments can build more resilient food systems.
The Third Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition will take place at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on November 16 and 17, 2026.
The gathering will bring together legislators, representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), development partners, civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders to explore policy responses to food insecurity and malnutrition.
It will be the first time the summit is held in Africa, following previous editions in Spain in 2018 and Chile in 2023.
Why Parliamentarians Are at the Centre of the Hunger Debate
The summit will focus on the role of lawmakers in turning food security commitments into practical action through legislation, budget allocations and oversight of government programmes.
Its theme is “Legislating for Resilient Agrifood Systems and Zero Hunger in a Changing Climate.”
Among the issues expected to feature prominently are the right to food, access to affordable and nutritious diets, sustainable agricultural production and the ability of farming systems to withstand climate-related shocks.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the meeting would give legislators an opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen parliamentary action in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“These challenges have a direct bearing on the lives and livelihoods of the people we represent,” he said.
The summit is being organised jointly by the Parliament of Kenya, FAO and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
FAO describes the gathering as part of a continuing international effort to strengthen parliamentary cooperation on food security, nutrition and sustainable agrifood systems.
Kenya to Showcase Ruto’s Agricultural Agenda
Kenya will use the international gathering to present its agricultural policies and interventions under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The discussions will offer visiting lawmakers an opportunity to examine Kenya’s approach to increasing agricultural production, improving food availability and strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to food supply disruptions.
President Ruto is expected to officially open the summit on Monday, November 16, at 10am in the National Assembly Chamber.
The event also presents an opportunity for Kenya to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and establish partnerships with other countries on agricultural development and nutrition.
Wetang’ula Names Seven MPs to Coordinate Preparations
To oversee preparations, Wetang’ula has established a seven-member steering committee drawn from the National Assembly.
The team comprises John Mutunga (Tigania West), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), James Nyikal (Seme), Yusuf Haji (Mandera West), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Robert Basil (Yatta) and Cynthia Muge (Nandi County).
The committee will coordinate preparations and oversee conference activities ahead of the arrival of international delegates.
The summit follows previous parliamentary gatherings in Spain and Chile, where lawmakers explored ways to strengthen legal frameworks, mobilise political commitment and monitor government action against hunger.
