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Fatima Shahid (HOD)

World Declaration on Nutrition

World Declaration on Nutrition, an essential document that represents a global commitment to
addressing and eradicating malnutrition in all its forms. This declaration was adopted at the
International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) held in Rome in December 1992. It laid the foundation for
future international efforts to improve nutritional standards and promote food security.

Historical Context

To understand the significance of the World Declaration on Nutrition, it's crucial to consider the
historical backdrop:

Post-World War II Era: The establishment of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, such as the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the
need for global cooperation in addressing food and nutrition security.

✔️Increasing Awareness: Throughout the 20th century, there was growing awareness of the global
prevalence of malnutrition, not just in terms of undernutrition but also micronutrient deficiencies and
the emerging problem of overnutrition leading to non-communicable diseases.

Prior Conferences: The ICN was preceded by various international conferences and summits that
✔️
underscored the need for coordinated efforts to tackle malnutrition, including the 1974 World Food
Conference and the 1981 FAO/WHO Conference on Nutrition.

Key Objectives of the Declaration

The World Declaration on Nutrition aims to achieve several objectives:

✔️Universal Access to Adequate and Nutritious Food: Ensuring that every individual has access to food
that is sufficient, safe, and nutritious.

Reduction of Nutritional Disorders: Addressing and reducing the prevalence of malnutrition, including
✔️
both undernutrition and overnutrition, and related health issues.

Support for Sustainable Development: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices and food
✔️
production systems that support long-term food security.

National and International Cooperation: Fostering cooperation between nations, international

✔️
organizations, and other stakeholders to create effective nutrition policies and programs.

Fundamental Principles

The declaration is underpinned by several fundamental principles:

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✔️Human Right to Adequate Food: Recognizing the right of every individual to have access to adequate
food and the highest attainable standard of health.

✔️Primary Responsibility of Governments: Emphasizing that national governments have the primary
responsibility to ensure the nutritional well-being of their populations.

Intersectoral Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration across various sectors, including health,

✔️
agriculture, education, and social services, to address the multifaceted nature of nutrition.

✔️Equity and Non-Discrimination: Ensuring that nutrition policies and programs are equitable and do not
discriminate on any grounds, including socioeconomic status, gender, or ethnicity.

Commitments Made

Countries that endorsed the World Declaration on Nutrition committed to:

✔️Developing National Nutrition Policies: Creating and implementing comprehensive nutrition strategies
that align with international guidelines

✔️Allocating Resources: Ensuring sufficient allocation of resources, both financial and human, to
effectively address nutritional challenges.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the impact of nutrition
✔️
programs and policies, and making necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.

International Cooperation and Assistance: Seeking and providing international support and
✔️
cooperation to achieve global nutrition goals.

Implementation and Progress

Following the declaration, several initiatives and frameworks have been developed to implement its
principles:

The ICN Follow-Up: Regular follow-up conferences and meetings have been held to review progress
✔️
and renew commitments. For example, the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) held in
2014 reinforced the commitments made in 1992.

✔️The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The SDGs, adopted in 2015, include specific targets
related to ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable
agriculture (Goal 2).
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Global Nutrition Reports: Annual reports that track progress towards global nutrition targets, providing
✔️
valuable data and insights to guide policy and program development.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite significant progress, several challenges remain:

Persistent Malnutrition: Both undernutrition and overnutrition continue to affect millions worldwide,
✔️
with significant regional disparities.

Climate Change: The impact of climate change on food security and nutrition is an ongoing concern,
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necessitating adaptive and resilient agricultural practices.

✔️Economic Inequalities: Socioeconomic inequalities exacerbate nutrition problems, requiring targeted

interventions to reach the most vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The World Declaration on Nutrition represents a landmark commitment to addressing global nutrition
challenges. While substantial progress has been made, ongoing efforts and renewed commitments are
essential to ensure that everyone has access to adequate and nutritious food. The collaboration of
governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders remains crucial in achieving the
declaration's goals and creating a healthier, more equitable world.