PURPOSE:
The Global Breastfeeding Collective is a strategic partnership of prominent international agencies aimed at increasing global investment in breastfeeding policies and programs. This initiative addresses the urgent need to accelerate progress toward the 2030 World Health Assembly target for exclusive breastfeeding, building on the 10% increase achieved over the past decade.

DISCUSSION:
Breastfeeding represents one of the most critical public health interventions, delivering substantial benefits including reduced healthcare costs and improved family health outcomes. The Collective operates through four key mechanisms: convening advocacy organizations to coordinate strategic efforts, crafting compelling advocacy messages for decision-makers at major global events, providing comprehensive advocacy toolkits to strengthen policy implementation, and publishing the annual Global Breastfeeding Scorecard for data-driven monitoring and accountability. Midwives and nurses serve as frontline advocates, ideally positioned to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding through their direct patient care roles. They provide essential skilled breastfeeding counseling, facilitate immediate skin-to-skin contact, and deliver personalized support that builds maternal confidence and addresses breastfeeding challenges.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The Collective's evidence-based approach demonstrates that when nations invest in robust breastfeeding policies and programs, exclusive breastfeeding rates increase significantly. Data shows clear correlations between policy investment and improved breastfeeding outcomes across diverse global contexts. The annual Scorecard provides concrete metrics tracking progress in policy implementation and breastfeeding practices within countries.

KEY MESSAGE:
The Global Breastfeeding Collective issues a seven-point call to action for implementers and donors from governments, philanthropies, international organizations, and civil society. The organization's vision encompasses a world where all mothers receive comprehensive financial, emotional, technical, and public support enabling them to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, maintain exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for two years or beyond. Through coordinated advocacy, evidence-based policy development, and systematic monitoring, the Collective transforms breastfeeding from individual challenge to collective global investment priority. Poster session 4 (Group B)