Thank you,
- Norway welcomes the extension of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition – as a vital opportunity to extend a strong momentum for leveraging nutrition and take a people centered perspective on the food systems- ensuring access to sufficient, safe and nutritious foods, meeting dietary needs and food preference for all.
- Global progress on nutrition is off track. We face the triple burden of malnutrition: including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overnutrition. Food systems must support healthy diets, especially for vulnerable groups such as children. We must not forget that the core function of food systems is to nourish people.
Dear friends,
- Adequate nutrition, central to the right to food- is critical for human health particular in the 1000-day window for child development, mentioned in this year’s HLPE report.
- The CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition (VGFSyN) emphasize holistic and evidence-based approaches to reach the global nutrition goals. This requires multistakeholder coordination, policy integration, and resource mobilization of domestic, international and private capital.
- Conflict, climate change, and food price inflation threaten food security, underscoring the urgent need for a system approach and effective nutrition interventions. Norway urges actions on upholding the Nutrition for Growth Summit commitments.
- Collaboration is key. Norway supports the School Meal Coalition and is a long-time supporter of protecting biodiversity for resilient nutrient rich crops through the Crop Trust`s BOLD project, and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
- Thank you Iceland for highlighting the importance of aquatic foods. Since 2017, Norway has led the Global Action Network on Sustainable Foods from the Oceans and Inland Waters, under the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, reaching 167 nationalities across governments, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector. Through over 30 events, more than 60 000 visits at our digital platform – gain and share tool and newsletters we foster knowledge sharing and action for sustainable aquatic food systems for food security and nutrition, based on the CFS recommendations. We are committed to continuing this work through 2030.
- We wish to thank FAO and WHO, and the secretariate for the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, who with limited resources has provided strong support during the decade.
- The network invites parties to discuss a kick-off event for the Nutrition Decade final five years to build momentum.
Finally,
- Norway underscores the importance of building bridges among scientists, government and stakeholders, in agri- and aquatic food systems, climate, food security, nutrition and health, to strengthen food security and deliver stronger nutritional outcomes
- Moving forward we must also give due consideration to food safety and anti-microbial resistance.
- we wish to remind us all that we need gender-responsive food systems to achieve resilience and nutrition goals - let us close the gender gaps.
Thank you.