Nangui Abrogoua University (UNA) recently achieved a strategic milestone in the fight for food security and sustainable nutrition in Côte d'Ivoire. On November 19 and 20, 2025 , UNA organized the first edition of its "Valoriales de la Nutrition" Scientific Days , orchestrated by the Nutrition and Food Security Laboratory of the UFR-Sciences et Technologies des Aliments (UFR-STA).

A Unifying Theme: The Exploitation of Local Resources

Under the theme "Innovation and the Valorization of Local Resources: Challenges for Nutrition and Sustainable Food Security," this event brought together more than 80 presentation proposals , demonstrating the pressing interest of the scientific community in these issues. Researchers, public and private institutions, and partners mobilized around the common goal of strengthening sustainable nutrition by leveraging Côte d'Ivoire's potential.

🔬 Innovation Serving Food Systems

Professor BROU Kouakou , Director of the Nutrition and Food Security Laboratory, highlighted the crucial challenges of modern food systems:

Availability, quality, safety, and resilience in the face of crises. He stressed the need to make greater use of local resources , considering them as true drivers of innovation to sustainably meet national nutritional needs.

The President of UNA, Professor Véronique YOBOUE , who also chaired the symposium, reaffirmed the university's mission: to support research that benefits the well-being of populations. These scientific sessions are a key step in UNA's commitment to placing science at the service of socio-economic progress and public health .

🎯 Nutrition, a Pillar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dr. N'GORAN Patricia , Coordinator of the National Council for Nutrition (CONANUT) and sponsor of the event, opened the discussions by highlighting the direct impact of nutrition on achieving 11 of the 17 SDGs .

She presented the progress of the National Multisectoral Nutrition Plan (PNMN 2024-2027) , symbolically handing over the document to the President of the UNA. However, Dr. N'GORAN highlighted persistent challenges :

1. Chronic malnutrition.
2. Anemia in women and children.
3. Decline in exclusive breastfeeding.
4. Need for better integration of local resources into diets.

💡 Rich and Multidisciplinary Exchanges

The two days were marked by 57 oral presentations and 9 posters , structured around four major themes:

1. Nutrition and food science.
2. Nutrition and health.
3. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and sustainable food systems.
4. Food nutrition and safety.

These sessions, complemented by visits to stands and exhibitions, helped to highlight the vitality of local research .

The first edition of the Nutrition Conference has thus established itself as a leading scientific platform for UNA and for Côte d'Ivoire. It sets a precedent, paving the way for new and essential synergies between researchers, policymakers and field actors, crucial for building more resilient and sustainable food systems .