Bangkok Symposium - Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets
iasparliament
November 09, 2017
What is the issue?
At a time when dietry patterns are changing rapidly, improving nutrition should be central to our debates on food culture.
FAO and other UN partners are currently organising a conference on nutrition in Bangkokto ideate for future food policies.
Why is it critical?
Nutritional security is under threat worldwide as our food systems are not properly responding to nutritional needs.
The poor are constrained with limited access to nutritious foods due to its un-affordability.
This leads to development of monotonous diets that do not provide them with adequate nutrients.
For a considerable population of the well-off, taste has increasingly taken precedence over nutrition in our food habits.
These factors have led to an increase in non-communicable diseases, which is heavily burdening on our health-care systems.
These have the potential to derail the economic progress that is essential for the poor to improve their lives.
What are the major international efforts?
An “International Conference on Nutrition” was organised in Rome by ‘UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’ (FAO) and the ‘World Health Organisation’ (WHO) in 2014.
This was followed up last year, with an International Symposium on Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Improved Nutrition.
This week, experts on nutrition and major players in the food systems sector from across Asia and the Pacific are expected to gather at Bangkok for further discussions.
All these actions are expected to better shape the ‘UN Decade of Action on Nutrition’ (2016-2025).
Who are the other stakeholders?
A vast majority of the food we eat is produced by small farmers, many of whom are poor and undernourished themselves.
Improvements to food systems must be achieved in ways that benefit their livelihood and nutritional needs.
Small farmers are also key to building dynamic rural economies.
It is hence critical to provide them with technological inputs that enhances their product valuations in the markets.
Investing the all key players of the food supply chain (producers, transporters, marketers) is needed to push the nutrition agenda ahead.
Food processing for value enhancement is also another key focus area to produce and deliver more nutritious food.
