Year of publication 1993

At the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) held in December 1992, 159 countries unanimously adopted a World Declaration and Plan of Action for Nutrition which stresses the determination of all actions to work together to eliminate hunger and all forms of malnutrition. Participating governments and other concerned parties pledged to make all efforts to eliminate before the end of the 1990s: Famine and famine-related deaths; Starvation and nutritional deficiency diseases in communities affected by natural and man-made disasters; Iodine and vitamin A deficiencies. They also pledged to reduce substantially within the same period: Starvation and widespread chronic hunger; Undernutrition, especially among children, women and the aged; Other important micronutrient deficiencies, including iron; Diet-related communicable and non-communicable diseases; Social and other impediments to optimal breast-feeding; Inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene, including unsafe drinking water. The main objective of these Guidelines is to assist countries in preparing National Plans of Action based on ICN goals and objectives. Given the diversity in National Plans that already exist, it is recognized that the Guidelines must be adapted to existing circumstances. It is hoped that the Guidelines will stimulate the process of developing or revising Plans, using a broad-based and intersectoral approach.