LONDON:
The Scaling Up Nutrition Movement today
hailed world leaders signing the “Global Nutrition for Growth Compact” as an
indication of unprecedented determination to end the injustice of malnutrition.
More
than 60 world leaders attended the Nutrition for Growth high-level event -- a
highlight of the UK’s agenda during its Presidency of the G8 group of nations
-- hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron, Vice-President of Brazil
Michel Temer and Jamie Cooper-Hohn, CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund
Foundation (CIFF). The event focused on the importance of good nutrition for
the growth of individuals, societies and countries. Leaders from governments, international
organizations, businesses, as well as civil society organizations, development
agencies and research groups, signed the compact and made concrete commitments
to act for better nutrition globally over the next seven years.
The
commitments included clear targets for reducing the numbers of undernourished
(or “stunted”) children, for tackling obesity, for reducing anaemia in
pregnancy and other deficiencies, new government policies and business
practices, increased spending, making agriculture and food systems more
nourishing, improving opportunities for women to breast feed their infants, and
greater public information – and accountability – among all involved. Signatories to the compact indicated their
willingness to be called to account for their pledges.
In
a video message to the high-level event, United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to alleviating malnutrition in all its
forms.
“No
child should suffer the injustice of malnutrition. Yet one in four will be stunted by chronic
malnutrition -- unless we act,” said the UN chief.”
“These
commitments can support children’s development, help hundreds of millions of
people and boost the economies of some of the world’s most vulnerable
countries. The UN system and I will do everything within our power to see them
fulfilled,” he continued.
Data
released this week in The 2013 Lancet
Series on Maternal and Child Nutrition found that
globally, malnutrition is responsible for nearly half the deaths of children
under age 5 each year, indicating a critical need for continued investment and
innovative collaboration. These deaths are largely preventable. In the past five years, since the release of
the landmark 2008 Lancet Nutrition
Series, implementation of proven interventions, integration of nutrition into
broader health and development efforts and increased political commitment has
resulted in alleviating the severity of malnutrition in several highly burdened
countries. Evidence shows there is more to be done, however, particularly in
tackling the underlying drivers of malnutrition.
“Overcoming stunting is a vital element
of the Zero Hunger Challenge, my vision for a world where everyone enjoys their right to
adequate food and good nutrition,” added the Secretary-General in his message.
The
presence of strong, cross-sector leadership in London and the commitment to a shared vision
of success in ending malnutrition reflects the approach of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, an effort led by
national governments dedicated to an investment in nutrition as an investment
in the future. With countries leading the way in establishing nutrition plans,
policies and programmes, global stakeholders across civil society, business,
donors and others align to support advancement of these national priorities.
Since
launching in 2010, the SUN Movement has expanded to 40 countries that together
are home to 80 million stunted children equivalent to about half of all stunted
children in the world.
“Good
nutrition is essential for the growth of individuals, nations and economies,”
said Dr David Nabarro, Coordinator of the SUN Movement. “All in the Movement are excited by this
event in London,
which should be remembered as the day when the world started to turn a corner
and start to see an end to the scandal of child malnutrition in today’s
world”.
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