27
Oct
Rome, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) said today food insecurity and malnutrition can only be resolved with strong political commitment and the adequate resourcing. “Hunger” was the focus of a public debate about nutrition led by these nations at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters, ahead of the Second International Conference on Nutrition scheduled to take place in November 2014.
Participants said ministries and non-state actors should work closely together in a coordinated manner to address the issue.
In his opening remarks, Jomo Kwame Sundaram, FAO Assistant Director-General and Coordinator for Economic and Social Development, described “the three faces of malnutrition,” the persistent challenge of hunger, or inadequate dietary energy, “hidden hunger” or micronutrient (mineral and vitamin) deficiencies — and diet-related non-communicable diseases often associated with obesity.
Jomo stressed the need for political commitment at the highest level and “integrated, comprehensive approaches,” but to do so within a flexible framework, ensuring access to healthy, balanced and diversified diets for all.
FAO figures show that while there has been a substantial drop in the number of people suffering from hunger since 1992, it is estimated that at least two billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies of one form or another. Another half a billion are obese.
Malnutrition not only impairs people from reaching their full human potential, but reduces global economic welfare by around five percent, according to estimates.
Source: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3202271&Itemid=1