Underutilized vegetables, also known as neglected and underutilized species (NUS), hold significant potential for improving global food and nutrition security. Despite being rich in micronutrients, climate-resilient, and culturally important, these crops remain marginalized in agricultural research, policy and markets. With increasing challenges such as malnutrition, biodiversity loss and climate change, promoting underutilized vegetables can diversify diets, strengthen smallholder livelihoods and support sustainable and climate-smart food systems. Unlocking their potential requires targeted research, market integration and supportive policies to enhance agricultural resilience and human health.