Global forum on food security and nutrition

85.Isabelle Rousseau, France

Original contribution in French

Je pense qu'il faut favoriser l'alimentation d'origine végétale, surtout dans les pays ou une partie de la population souffre de mal nutrition. Je pense par exemple à la spiruline, un aliment intéressant sur le plan nutritionnel, car très complet. La permaculture est aussi un enjeu majeur pour atteindre l’autonomie alimentaire. Cette autonomie est la seule solution pérenne pour les pays en voie de développement.

Pour les pays plus aisés la diminution de la consommation de produits carnés est également un enjeu pour des raisons plus éthique et écologiques.

English translation

I believe that it is important to promote food which is vegetable in origin, in particular in countries where a part of the population suffers from malnutrition. I am thinking for example of spirulina, an interesting food in terms of nutrition because it is most complete. Permaculture is also a major challenge for the achievement of food autonomy. This autonomy is the only durable solution for developing countries.

For the more affluent countries, reducing the consumption of meat products is, for more ethical and ecological reasons, equally an issue.

86.Obasi Igwe Oscar, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

1.       My expectations are that it will lead to increased production and marketing of safe food with emphasis on regional comparative advantages. Nigeria is still import dependent on major food items and it should be reversed.This as adversely affected the economy.

2.       Critical activities to be included in the work programme are expansive food production using improved varieties/breeds and technologies; safety measures in crop/animal selection, production, processing, packaging and sales; capital investment in agric and agro- allied sectors; human capital development; enlightenment and education of women and girl child who are mainly households’ food preparers; funding of relevant research in these area.

3.       Quality of commodities can be accelerated via establishing and ensuring that universally accepted standards are maintained in the food system. Government regulatory bodies should be involved while private advocates and monitors sustain the crusade for quality nutrition.

4.       Other relevant fora and movements can be involved through funding of research, supporting advocacy, enlightenment of girl child and women, aids and grants, enforcing sanctions as well as evaluating projects and programmes over time to ensure expected target are achieved.   

87. Bruno Kistner, Asian Roundtable on Food Innovation for Improved Nutrition, Singapore

On expectations in improving nutrition and food security in Asia:

One key issue in human nutrition is that science is still too open for wide interpretation. It has been established through the animal health science but also through successful feeding programs by the WFP in refugee camps and crisis feeding that only a well-balanced nutrient portfolio shows desired results in improving the health status of targeted populations. The argument of too high cost is not valid, the cost to provide all essential B-vitamins to 100 mio people is estimated at approx. 15 mio US$ per year.

Given the significance of the first 1000 days it is important that adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers receive foods that have a balanced nutrient portfolio. If dietary diversity is too expensive the cheapest and most effective way is fortification of locally accepted foodstuffs.

ARoFIIN is currently studying the existing information on the nutrient gap between actual intake and the WHO recommendations for targeted population groups. With this data we will discuss with the food industry what nutritional interventions are possible.

Governments and the UN can contribute to allow accessibility and distribution of these foodstuffs and approve locally acceptable, highly fortified low cost food solutions.

On critical activities:

Educational programs on the importance of dietary variety is essential, i.e. home gardening for rural populations and the increased use of vegetables and fruit for urban poulations. For policy discussions an important aspect is how fruit and vegetable can become more affordable to increase usage in the food portfolio.

Policy makers, health authorities and the food industry need to engage in discussions aiming to widen the access to dietary diversity but also to fortified foods.

When mandated food fortification is discussed we need to realize the the past iron / folic acid fortification strategy of many countries was not successful. Reconstitution of rice and wheat to its original nutrition content before milling is essential.

On quality of commitments

15% of the processed food supply is provided by the multinational food companies, 85% by small medium enterprises.

If business cases to support the fortification of foodstuffs can be created the commitment to provide more healthy food choices can be increased. The UN should work with the food industry to discuss, develop and support the free access to nutritious food solutions.

88.Megan Wilson-Jones, WaterAid, United Kingdom

WaterAid thanks FAO and the UNSCN for the opportunity to input into the development of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition work programme.
As articulated in the concept note, the Decade of Action on Nutrition should act as an umbrella for the various initiatives and stakeholders involved in nutrition, unifying different voices and serving as a platform for coordinating and strengthening networks and collaborations across different actors and importantly across different sectors.  The Decade of Action on Nutrition should encompass key principles to guide its work, including that of country ownership, the universal nature of malnutrition, shared responsibility, integration and collaboration, equity and sustainability.

Our submission focuses on four recommendations for the work programme:

1.       Greater prioritisation of the prevention of undernutrition through improving the environments in which people live: The proposed principle focus areas, or ‘pillars’ for the Decade of Action on Nutrition fail to adequately address prevention of malnutrition, particularly with regards to improving the environments in which people live. Given that 50% of undernutrition is associated with infections caused by poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), greater focus and attention on the underlying causes of malnutrition, particularly WASH, is missing from the proposed framework, yet will be fundamental to improving undernutrition. Pillar 5 suggests that this covers recommendations 50, 51 and 52 of the ICN2 framework for action, however although improving WASH in healthcare facilities is a key component of building strong health systems, universal access to WASH requires action outside of the health sector to ensure every household and community realise their rights to water, sanitation and hygiene. This broader role that the environment plays in contributing to undernutrition needs to be more clearly articulated and prioritised within the principle focus areas of the Decade of Action.
2.       Place multi-sectoral collaboration, relationships and networks at the centre of each of the 6 pillars/principle focus areas: The Decade of Action can play an important role in facilitating links among a broad set of stakeholders across multiple sectors, particularly health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), agriculture, and social protection, while also linking with the climate change agenda. The Decade should advocate for and support countries to build and strengthen institutional mechanisms and structures for nutrition that allow cross-sectoral working and coordination across ministries, and for the more systematic integration of nutrition into nutrition-sensitive sectors, including through building capacity on nutrition in these sectors. The success of these coordination mechanisms requires high-level political support, such as through the President or Prime Minister’s office, along with human and financial resources to ensure its functioning.   
3.       Improving data, evidence and accountability: Weaknesses in nutrition-related data and spending, particularly that which is disaggregated by various parameters, is an important barrier to scaling up equitable access to nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive actions. Supporting the strengthening of information systems to better collect, analyse, track and share data, making it accessible for all, is essential to maximising the impact of investments, directing limited resources and improving accountability. Better documenting and sharing of lessons, including through more operational research, will also be essential to building the knowledge base of what works, and filling in current gaps in knowledge.
4.       Building political will and the critical role of advocacy: The challenge will be to translate this global momentum around nutrition into concrete actions and SMART commitments, both in terms of policy and financial commitments, at regional, national and local levels. An ambitious advocacy agenda should enhance the profile of nutrition as an underlying determinant of sustainable development, linking to other SDGs, while developing high-level champions, including parliamentarians, as a way to leverage national and international financing for nutrition.

I attach our recent report ‘The Missing Ingredients: are policy-makers doing enough on water, sanitation and hygiene to end malnutrition.’