The South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth (SAPLING) Initiative was launched in 2019. It aims to drive a ‘food systems approach to combat malnutrition in South Asia in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative was launched to establish a regional platform for consensus building among various stakeholders by mainstreaming evidence-based policy, action, and leadership in line with policymakers’ needs and priorities. SAPLING’s priority countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.