It has been a great honor and privilege for International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) and for Kenya as a country to partner with Global Health Advocacy Incubator to host the 2nd Pan-African Legal Capacity Strengthening Symposium on Food and Nutrition Governance. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Kenya has prioritized policy interventions to address diet-related Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through measures such as the Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) and Front of Pack Labels (FOPL), regulations on marketing restrictions, fiscal measures on Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), and the elimination of Industrially Produced Trans Fats (iTFAs). Civil Society Organizations such as as well as research and academia are at the forefront of advocating for these policies and regulations as viable solutions. While there has been significant progress, much more needs to be done to establish an effective policy and regulatory framework to address these public health issues. Therefore, it was timely to have this symposium in Kenya. This symposium has provided an opportunity to discuss legal innovations and ideas, including legal/policy research, legislative advocacy, and litigation, among others, that are being applied in several countries in Africa to address diet related #NCDs. It has served as a platform for peer learning, lesson sharing, and benchmarking on evidence, policy, and practice in food and nutrition governance. The discussions and activities have inspired and ignited our collective passion and commitment to NCD control and prevention

Celine Awuor, Chief Executive Officer, IILA