9 March 2026 – The Ministry of Health and Population and the National Institute of Nutrition of the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the support of the CICA Secretariat, organized a webinar titled “Mainstreaming Nutrition Innovations, including Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prevention Practices: A Road Toward Achieving Universal Health Coverage.” The event brought together experts and representatives of CICA Member States to exchange experiences and discuss innovative approaches to improving nutrition and preventing non-communicable diseases.
The webinar was opened by Prof. Abla Alalfy, Deputy Minister of Health and Population of Egypt, who encouraged Member States to utilize the CICA platform to strengthen dialogue, networking and practical cooperation in the field of public health and well-being. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of preventive strategies and the need to strengthen national health systems in order to advance universal health coverage.
The first session focused on policy frameworks and interventions addressing micronutrient deficiencies, highlighting national efforts to combat iron and iodine deficiencies. Egyptian experts presented initiatives such as the fortification of “baladi” bread with iron and programs aimed at monitoring and reducing iodine deficiency, as well as community-based efforts to improve nutrition through school meal programs.
The second session explored national policies addressing obesity and early childhood nutrition, including Egypt’s “Golden 1000 Days” initiative, which promotes healthy nutrition during the critical early stages of life. Experts also discussed sustainable approaches to tackling obesity and the importance of responsible marketing of breast milk substitutes.
A third session addressed national efforts to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through early screening, prevention programs and health awareness campaigns. Representatives of several CICA Member States, including Azerbaijan, Russia and Türkiye, shared their national strategies and experiences in addressing NCDs.
The discussions highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing and cooperation among CICA Member States in addressing nutrition-related challenges and strengthening preventive healthcare systems. Participants emphasized that innovative nutrition policies and early prevention strategies play a critical role in reducing the social-economic burden of non-communicable diseases and improving public health outcomes.
The webinar was organized within the framework of 2026 Annual Plan of confidence building measures under the New Challenges and Threats Dimension, which promotes cooperation in areas such as epidemiological safety, public health, social development and well-being across the CICA region. The event demonstrated the potential of the CICA platform to facilitate the exchange of best practices and support practical cooperation aimed at improving health and quality of life across Asia.
