All countries face the problem of combatting malnutrition in its various forms: undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies as well as overweight and obesity. The scale and nature of these problems of course differ across countries and their populations. Latest data from the United Nations indicate worrying trends in global food and nutrition security that must be  tackled. Science has the potential to find sustainable solutions for national and global food systems relating to the complex interplay of issues spanning health, nutrition, agriculture, climate change, ecology and human behaviour.Recommendations for international scientific priorities :1. Developing sustainable food and nutrition systems, taking a systems perspective to deliver health and well-being, linked to transformation towards the circular economy and bioeconomy. 2. Emphasising transformation to a healthy diet and good nutrition. 3. Understanding food production and utilisation issues, covering considerations of efficiency, sustainability, climate risks and diversity of resources. 4. Capitalising on opportunities coming within range in the biosciences and other rapidly advancing sciences. 5. Addressing the food-energy-nutrients-water-health nexus, recognising that boundaries are blurred. 6. Promoting activity at the science-policy interfaces and reconciling policy disconnects. 7. Consolidating and coordinating international science advisory mechanisms.