ECOSOC Management Segment deliberates key issues in hunger and malnutrition

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and the UN Standing Committee on Nutrition (UNSCN) presented reports to the Management Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council this week.

“It is evident that we are not on track to attain SDG 2 and the relevant targets. Instead, the 2030 Agenda and the fight against hunger and malnutrition must be taken up with the moral certainty —and the political courage— to which we committed when agreeing to it,” said Mario Arvelo, Chair of the CFS, in a statement delivered via videoconferencing.

In its report to the Management Segment, UNSCN highlighted the importance of mainstreaming nutrition. “To achieve sustainable nutrition outcomes, coherent policies, good governance and accountability are essential, which can only be achieved if nutrition is fully integrated into a range of intergovernmental processes and policies,” said Stineke Oenema, Coordinator of the UNSCN.  

The reporting was attended by members of ECOSOC and UN entities. Speaking on behalf of the FAO, IFAD, WFP and WHO, Carla Mucavi, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in New York, noted the substantial contributions CFS and UNSCN give to food security and nutrition, the 2030 Agenda, the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition and the recently launched UN Decade on Family Farming, and stressed the importance to scale up action to combat the increase in hunger and other forms of malnutrition.

“To revert this trend, we need to shift course, take bolder, transformative and better integrated actions. From the agriculture, food security and nutrition viewpoint, this means adopting sustainable food systems that promote healthier diets, tackle environmental degradation and biodiversity loss and empower family farmers and rural people, allowing them to give their essential contribution to sustainable development,” said Carla Mucavi.

The CFS is an inclusive international and intergovernmental platform for all stakeholders to work together to ensure food security and nutrition for all. The Committee reports to the UN General Assembly through ECOSOC and to the FAO Conference.

The UNSCN is the food and nutrition policy harmonization forum of the United Nation, mandated to promote cooperation among UN agencies and partner organizations in support of community, national, regional, and international efforts to end malnutrition in all of its forms in this generation.

The Management Segment is integral to ECOSOC’s coordinating role at the heart of the UN development system. Held throughout the year, the Council reviews and approves the latest reports from ECOSOC subsidiary and expert bodies in economic, social, environmental and related fields.