1. General comments on the Draft of the Rome Declaration on Nutrition.
While the document captures multi-dimensional aspects of nutrition issues comprehensively, it would be beneficial to include and highlight other related factors to food and nutrition security, e.g. sustainable use of natural resources, in particular forests. In this regard, some specific comments are made below for your consideration.
2. Specific comments on the paragraphs related to the multiple threats that malnutrition poses to sustainable development (paragraphs 4-10).
1) For the existing paragraph 8, additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“Recognize that climate change and unsustainable use of natural resources are negatively impacting the quantity, quality and diversity of food grown and are therefore posing a major threat to food and nutrition security.”
2) Another paragraph is suggested to be inserted after the paragraph 8 before the paragraph 9 as follows:
“Recognize that unclear and/or unequitable land tenure rights are threats to the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.”
3. Specific comments on the vision for global action to end all forms of malnutrition (paragraphs 11-12).
1) As for the paragraph 11. c), additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“global and national policy coherence is needed among relevant sectors, including in trade and investment agreements, in investments and incentives for agricultural production, sustainable natural resource management, food processing and distribution;”
2) As for the paragraph 12. c), an additional word in bold below is suggested to be added:
“food and agriculture including crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture systems need to be addressed holistically by public policies, including the resources, investment, environment, people, institutions and processes with which food is produced, processed, stored, distributed, prepared and consumed;”
3) As for the paragraph 12. h), additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“food systems should be sustainable, and all components for food production, processing and distribution (including land, soil and other natural resources, seeds, fertilizers, water, energy, harvesting, storage and transport) should be managed sustainably, with due attention to environmental impacts;”
4) As for the paragraph 12. f), additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“food systems need to promote healthy dietary patterns by providing year-round access to safe and nutritious foods including fruits, and vegetables, pulses, wholegrains, non-wood forest products, edible insects and animal source foods such as fish, while limiting the consumption of processed foods that negatively affect nutrition and health;”
4. Specific comments in the appropriate fields relating to the commitments (paragraph 13)
1) As for the paragraph 13, a new section is suggested to be added as follows:
x) Capture all untapped opportunities that natural resources, including non-wood forest products, edible insects, etc. , can provide for a better nutrition.
2) In paragraph 5, the 2nd bullet point recognises, “Poverty as a major contributor to malnutrition in both rural and urban areas.” As such the commitment to action in paragraph 13 should reflect actions that address poverty alleviation, especially targeting smallholder farmers, fisher folk and forest communities.
Dear FSN Forum members,
1. General comments on the Draft of the Rome Declaration on Nutrition.
While the document captures multi-dimensional aspects of nutrition issues comprehensively, it would be beneficial to include and highlight other related factors to food and nutrition security, e.g. sustainable use of natural resources, in particular forests. In this regard, some specific comments are made below for your consideration.
2. Specific comments on the paragraphs related to the multiple threats that malnutrition poses to sustainable development (paragraphs 4-10).
1) For the existing paragraph 8, additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“Recognize that climate change and unsustainable use of natural resources are negatively impacting the quantity, quality and diversity of food grown and are therefore posing a major threat to food and nutrition security.”
2) Another paragraph is suggested to be inserted after the paragraph 8 before the paragraph 9 as follows:
“Recognize that unclear and/or unequitable land tenure rights are threats to the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.”
3. Specific comments on the vision for global action to end all forms of malnutrition (paragraphs 11-12).
1) As for the paragraph 11. c), additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“global and national policy coherence is needed among relevant sectors, including in trade and investment agreements, in investments and incentives for agricultural production, sustainable natural resource management, food processing and distribution;”
2) As for the paragraph 12. c), an additional word in bold below is suggested to be added:
“food and agriculture including crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture systems need to be addressed holistically by public policies, including the resources, investment, environment, people, institutions and processes with which food is produced, processed, stored, distributed, prepared and consumed;”
3) As for the paragraph 12. h), additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“food systems should be sustainable, and all components for food production, processing and distribution (including land, soil and other natural resources, seeds, fertilizers, water, energy, harvesting, storage and transport) should be managed sustainably, with due attention to environmental impacts;”
4) As for the paragraph 12. f), additional words in bold below are suggested to be added:
“food systems need to promote healthy dietary patterns by providing year-round access to safe and nutritious foods including fruits, and vegetables, pulses, wholegrains, non-wood forest products, edible insects and animal source foods such as fish, while limiting the consumption of processed foods that negatively affect nutrition and health;”
4. Specific comments in the appropriate fields relating to the commitments (paragraph 13)
1) As for the paragraph 13, a new section is suggested to be added as follows:
x) Capture all untapped opportunities that natural resources, including non-wood forest products, edible insects, etc. , can provide for a better nutrition.
2) In paragraph 5, the 2nd bullet point recognises, “Poverty as a major contributor to malnutrition in both rural and urban areas.” As such the commitment to action in paragraph 13 should reflect actions that address poverty alleviation, especially targeting smallholder farmers, fisher folk and forest communities.