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I had the privilege of meeting David quite a few times in a number of different settings. For someone who engaged across multiple contexts and with hundreds if not thousands of people, he had a way of making me feel comfortable by addressing me by name and asking intently about how things were going in Nigeria. He made connections happen. He made difficult, complex things simple. He challenged and supported in equal measure. He was particularly keen to ensure that country level contributions and the voices of often marginalized groups (young people, women) within those countries shaped the food systems agenda and defined the scale and direction of global action. I also saw him let his hair (didn't have much of it) down at one of our meetings and the double-acts with LH from time to time.

Rest well David. The world, certainly the world of food systems and nutrition has lost one of its Generals. May his soul rest in peace.

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There is a poetic Bengali verse that says:

"Build such a beautiful life,

That when you die, you smile — and the world weeps" ("এমন জীবন তুমি করিবে গঠন,

মরণে হাসিবে তুমি কাঁদিবে ভুবন").

Dr. David Nabarro’s life was exactly that. He lived for others, with purpose and compassion.

Now, as he departs, we — and the world — mourn deeply. May his soul rest in peace.

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David was a wonderful mentor and a great inspiration to me, and I'm sure to so many others. His warmth, authenticity, and commitment to the cause always shone brightly. He was so generous with his time, with his words, and in his spirit. He will leave an indelible mark on the world and on so many individuals. The world is a better place for his time here. May he rest in peace, and may his memory live on in our hearts and minds for years and years to come.

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I only had one chance to meet David in person, but I had long admired his passion, empathy and practical approach for nutrition. It was at a dinner organised by GAIN at Geneva where I had the honour of having him sit at the Pakistan table. He scribbled his email address on a small piece of paper and assured me that he would reply to my email if I ever needed support.

It was very insightful to have discussion with him on youth engagement.

Goodbye David. May your soul rest in peace and your journey to the destination is filled with grace.

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I had long admired David Nabarro’s global leadership and dedication to public health and nutrition, though I didn’t have the chance to know him personally. I first met him virtually during a GAIN global staff meeting in September 2020. Amid the uncertainty and fear we all felt at the time, David’s wisdom and calm presence were deeply reassuring. He reminded us that our work mattered more than ever and that even in crisis, we could move forward with care, purpose, and hope.

Another memorable moment was when we were truly honoured to have him as the keynote speaker at our workshop on The Role of Multimicronutrient Supplementation and Food Fortification in Indonesia, held in partnership with KFI. His insights helped strengthen our advocacy efforts and inspired many.

His passing is a great loss for all of us. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. His legacy of leadership, empathy, and unwavering commitment to global health will continue to inspire us.

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Such sad news! The World lost a true champion for nutrition. David was incredibly human, warm and a true inspiration. May he rest in peace.

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David stood out for his humility and his genuine, human connection with people.
I remember him clearly at the beginning of the food systems movement in The Hague—his humour, sharp insight, and deep dedication shaped the conference profoundly.

He was always an advocate for the bigger picture, grounded in the sense that we are part of something greater.

His impact was enormous. I am deeply grateful to have met him and to have witnessed an actual role model of kind, sharp, and genuine dedication.

My heart goes out to Florence and the children—it's hard to imagine the size of the space David leaves behind.

May his soul travel to the next destination in grace.

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David Nabarro spoke at our December 2020 GAIN Board meeting - necessarily on Zoom because of Covid restrictions. In the midst of the pandemic, he made time to engage with the Board about the global issues and implications of the pandemic for GAIN's work. The Minutes record a 'hard hitting' session and I recall it had a profound effect on members and staff to hear from this person at the front of global efforts to tackle the pandemic. He spoke eloquently and powerfully about the importance of public trust in science, global cooperation, and the wider social impacts of the pandemic including increased violence towards women and poorer mental health. He did not preach but truly listened and genuinely engaged. His breadth of vision, humanity, wisdom, humility, compassion and commitment shone through. How the world needs those qualities today.

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Like others, I also remember how, even in the smallest interactions, David made everyone feel seen and valued. I was amazed that following only a few Zoom calls together before the UN Food Systems Summit he recognised me and greeted me by name at our hotel breakfast in Rome. As someone just starting out in the food systems space it meant a huge amount to me.

At around the same time, my Mum me a video of David being interviewed on Sky news about the impact long COVID. She was struggling at the time and said he summed it up better than anyone - so much so it nearly made her cry. I was proud to tell her this was someone I was working with, but it also showed David's huge ability to empathise and relate to so many different people.

He will be deeply missed by all in food systems world and my thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.

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The very many tributes to David over the past few days reflect a genuine, widespread appreciation of the impact that he had, not just in advancing improved global health and nutrition but, as importantly, in the positive influence that he had on so many of those who had the privilege of working with him.

My enduring memories include David’s wise council in the early days of the UN Food Systems Summit process on how to navigate the many challenges that we faced, never saying “this is the way that you should do it”, but always guiding us towards a feasible solution; his vision as to how the process could be made more inclusive; and the humility and understanding that he showed when coaching the many National Convenors thrust into a new and challenging way of working.

My thoughts are with Florence, his family, and colleagues at 4SD. David will be deeply missed by them and by so many others.

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David's humble yet powerful leadership remains an enduring inspiration. Rest in power, David. You will be deeply missed, and your legacy will continue through those who carry forward your ideals.

Love and light to the family and friends he left behind.

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David’s impact on public health and nutrition is hard to quantify: whereever and whenever attention needed to be focused on critical issue affecting the most vulnerable, he was there, and with unfailing energy and an ability to bring people together and galvanize action. But I most appreciated his humility and how he made time for everyone and everything; he made everyone feel like they were his top priority. My condolences to Florence and his family; know that his legacy will live on in the many of us he has inspired throughout his life.

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David was a mentor and friend to me in the sector. He welcomed me onto the SUN Lead Group with warmth and a belief in voices not yet heard. Him and Flo were a constant reassurance that leadership wasn't the loudest in the room but the most willing to share space and understand others. He was an anchor in our sector and will continue to be.

I'll never forget the conversations I had with him in corridors outside panels and meetings where we usually spoke about his socks (would you believe!?). He always wore bright patterned socks and we laughed about how he had a different pair for different suits.

David was a connector, a deep meaningful personable connector. His belief in people went beyond the norm and he will be sorely missed.

My thoughts are with his friends and family during this time.

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Indeed, David was a great hero and work that he has done will continue impacting many lives now and in future. Sincere condolences to Florence, the rest of David’s family and friends for the Loss. May God's Strength be your portion.

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Dr.  David Nabarro was a champion of equitable food systems, uniting people to fight hunger with compassion and clarity. His humility and lifelong dedication leave a lasting legacy.

May his soul rest in peace.

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Heroes never leave; they stay in our vision, thoughts, and journey in life. We will always remember Dr. David Nabarro's vibrant interactions and dialogues on food systems with all the countries and the people. He stood with us all in time of need. His vision, leadership, and the lessons learnt from him will always be with us as we collectively strive to take the mission on nutrition forward. He will always be in our thoughts. May his soul rest in peace, Ameen.

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It was a privilege to get to engage with David on nutrition, food systems dialogues, and during the global crisis response following the war on Ukraine. He was an inspiration, a hero, a legend, a reference! I was amazed at how he would remember my name and greet me in Nepali even if I was one of the millions he engaged with! A colossal loss. My condolences and best wishes to Florence and family.

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It is deeply saddening to lose such a remarkable figure who dedicated his work to nutrition and food systems transformation. Wishing strength to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working with him. May he rest in peace.

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