In 2003, a series of policies and governance structures were implemented in Brazil, including the Zero Hunger Strategy, the conditional cash transfer program Bolsa Família, programs to support small farm agriculture, educational programs promoting health, such as school feeding, programs to access micronutrients, promotion of adequate and healthy eating in public environments and facilities, strengthening of primary health care, and a multi-level and multi-participatory participatory governance system for food security and nutrition systems (SISAN), including the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security (CONSEA), whose format ultimately inspired the CFS Reform in 2009, the Interministerial Chamber for Food and Nutritional Security (CAISAN), that currently gathers 24 Ministries and the Conference on Food and Nutritional Security. Brazil exited the UN’s hunger map; however, the dismantling of social public policies during the period from 2016 to 2022 brought the food and nutritional insecurity as the main problem to be overcome. Over 33 million people are experiencing food insecurity in the country, and to address these adversities, a resumption of various intersectoral actions is necessary. What are the challenges and how can we avoid further setbacks in the future? What mechanisms are necessary to eradicate food and nutritional insecurity? Discussions about the various forms of malnutrition and their unequal impact on the population demand assertive measures with the collaboration of international cooperation.

Within this scenario, hunger and food and nutritional insecurity lie at the heart of the cycle of social adversities to be overcome. Tackling malnutrition in Brazil serves as the thread that connects obstacles across health, social assistance, education, and social participation. Confronting the multiple burden of malnutrition is linked to access to healthy foods, promoting social protection, fostering food and nutritional education, fostering healthy food environments, and strengthening primary health care, main care pathway for vulnerable groups. Therefore, this event will highlight how intersectoral actions and governance are necessary to combat food and nutritional insecurity and inequities in food systems, considering the context of climate change.