Panama presents its updated Food Security and Nutritional National Plan

Panama's Ministry of Social Development presented its National Food Security and Nutrition Plan (2024-2030) last month in Panama City, a strategic document that will guide government action and multisectoral collaboration to promote food and nutrition security in Panama.

The presentation of the plan took place on 19 June at the Ministry of Social Development and was led by Minister María Inés Castillo, who highlighted that the plan will facilitate Panama's efforts to work towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, which is to create a world free of hunger and malnutrition.

The launch of this plan reaffirms the country's commitment to this goal. In fact, Panama joined the SUN Movement in September 2023, and since then has received strategic support to build alliances with key actors in the country, as well as access to the experiences of other member countries of the Movement.

According to Minister Castillo, greater coordination between local municipalities and the central government is necessary to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the public policies that the plan seeks to implement, with the articulated collaboration of the private sector, academia and non-governmental organizations, with the support of international organizations.

The event was attended by government officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, academics and private sector entrepreneurs.

Based on the previous Food security and Nutrition (SAN) 2017-2021 Plan, the Plan was developed through a participatory, collaborative and exchange process with the governmental and non-governmental institutions that make up the Technical Committee. The process was led by the National Secretariat for the Food and Nutrition Security Plan (SENAPAN) and UNDP Panama.

The objectives of the Plan include reducing micronutrient deficiencies and halting the increase in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, improving the contribution of agriculture to food security, reducing the national undernourishment rate, reducing extreme poverty in indigenous regions, and increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life.

Given that the purpose of the plan is to coordinate the actions of the various sectors and organizations working in the field of food and nutrition in the country, it will be crucial for the new government to ensure continuity in the implementation of this plan with the support of the Technical Committee. With new authorities at the helm, the National Plan represents a strategic framework for ensuring food security and nutrition for the Panamanian population.

The SUN Movement looks forward to supporting the implementation of this plan and the country's broader commitment to a world free from all forms of malnutrition, in particular through the Latin American and Caribbean Hub, located in the country's capital.