High-level Political Forum nutrition side-event – ‘Leaving no one behind in the fight against malnutrition in all its forms’

On 19 July 2016, the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) nutrition side-event, ‘Leaving no one behind in the fight against malnutrition in all its forms’, was hosted at the UN Headquarters in New York and marked the launch of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025).The event was organized by the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The aim of the side-event was to draw attention to the importance of nutrition to achieving the full potential of the 2030 Agenda. It showcased how governments, from across the world, are embedding nutrition in their national strategies, policies, plans and investments in sustainable systems for health, food, agriculture, education, and social protection.

Participants included high-level dignitaries from the governments of Ecuador, Finland, Germany, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Uganda, along with senior representatives from academia, civil society, business and the United Nations.

Outcomes:

– Panellists discussed how malnutrition, in all its forms, represents a significant barrier to equitable and sustainable social and economic development. They emphasised that poor nutrition disproportionately affects women, and – influenced by political, economic, geographic and social factors – is both a driver and an outcome of inequity. They noted that undernutrition inhibits cognitive development and educational success, both of which are important determinants of labour productivity and economic growth. They also noted the risks factors of overweight and obesity for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

– There was agreement that the complex, overlapping and inter-related multiple burdens of malnutrition affect people living in every country in the world, across the socio-economic spectrum. Panellists highlighted that investing in nutrition has the potential to pay significant dividends in breaking the poverty cycle and in stimulating economic development. For example, well-nourished children are 33% more likely to escape poverty as adults and investments in nutrition are able to generate benefit-cost returns of 16-to-1.

– The benefits of investing in nutrition were also emphasised by the participants. Panellists highlighted that investing in nutrition has the potential to pay significant dividends in breaking the poverty cycle and in stimulating economic development. For example, well-nourished children are 33% more likely to escape poverty as adults and investments in nutrition are able to generate benefit-cost returns of 16-to-1.

– The 2030 Agenda was praised as an unprecedented opportunity to improve nutrition of all people, everywhere. Twelve of the seventeen inter-connected and indivisible Sustainable Development Goals contain indicators that track important inputs into nutrition and these are universally applicable to both developed and developing countries.

Check out a message from the new SUN Movement Coordinator, Gerda Verburg

A message (part 1) from our incoming coordinator, @GerdaVerburg: (2/3) #NutritionDecade #Nutrition4SDGs pic.twitter.com/9gkhPBvWfu

— Scaling Up Nutrition (@SUN_Movement) July 19, 2016

 

(Part 2 of the video message from @GerdaVerburg ) #NutritionDecade#Nutrition4SDGs (3/3) pic.twitter.com/JXWuxutwM3

— Scaling Up Nutrition (@SUN_Movement) July 19, 2016

Examples of integrated, national strategies to end malnutrition in all its forms in SUN Countries

In Uganda, where 33% of children age 0-5yrs are stunted, 14% underweight and 5% wasted, improved nutrition is seen as vital for the country’s development. The government is encouraging political commitment, developing effective partnerships, putting existing policy frameworks into action, and promoting knowledge and information of nutrition, with a particular focus on women and girls.

In Ecuador, laws are being implemented to reduce poverty and inequality: the country has been able to reduce extreme poverty by 50%. The government is promoting healthy food and nutrition among children and adolescents, and involving business and consumers in food labelling.

The Philippines is investing in the ‘Early Child Care and Development Intervention Package for the First 1000 Days’.  The program aims to ensure the holistic development of the child through the integrated delivery of services for health, nutrition, social services and psychosocial stimulation, from pregnancy up to 23 months old.  The government is initiating the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition for 2017-2022 for its eventual integration in the Philippine Development Plan.

Watch the webcast of the event

Download the agenda 

2016 High-level Political Forum – “Ensuring that no one is left behind”

The HLPF is the UN’s central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted last September by 193 Member States. 2016 HLPF “Ensuring that no one is left behind” took place from 11 to 20 July 2016 at UN Headquarters. It was the first since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more about the 2016 HLPF – “Ensuring that no one is left behind”

UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025)

The United Nations General Assembly has recently adopted a resolution proclaiming a UN Decade of Action on Nutrition from 2016 to 2025. The resolution aims to trigger intensified action to end hunger and eradicate malnutrition worldwide, and ensure universal access to healthier and more sustainable diets – for all people, whoever they are and wherever they live. It calls on governments to set national nutrition targets for 2025 and milestones based on internationally agreed indicators.

Taking the commitments from the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) Rome Declaration and the recommendations of the Framework for Action, under the broad umbrella of the SDGs, the Decade offers a time-bound window for joint action on human and planetary health through translation and implementation into national policies and integration in climate actions. Marking the launch of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025), the event will explore how governments, from across the world, are working with their partners in sustainable development to improve nutrition outcomes.

Learn more about the Decade of Action on Nutrition