Participants attending the opening session of the “Regional Symposium on Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Improved Nutrition in the Near East and North Africa”.

11 December 2017, Muscat -  Reshaping food systems for improved nutrition requires understanding of the different drivers impacting healthy diets along the entire food value chain "from farm to fork".

A two-day "Regional Symposium on Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Improved Nutrition in the Near East and North Africa" is being organized in the Sultanate of Oman's capital city Muscat; by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Food Policy Research (IFPRI) . The Regional Symposium, starting today, brings together representatives from   both ministries of agriculture and health from Oman and the region, as well   as non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

This comes as part of a series of regional symposia that have been organized this year to create a   space for policy-makers, development practitioners, researchers, and   representatives from the private sector, farmers' organizations and civil   society to share knowledge and explore possibilities to act.

Malnutrition in NENA

In the Near East and   North Africa region, multiple forms of malnutrition coexist, with countries   experiencing simultaneously child undernutrition, anemia and obesity. Not   only are these problems are the result of a lack of access to sufficient,   nutritious and safe food but they also derive the failure from food systems   to adequately address the problems of malnutrition in a holistic way from   production to consumption.

Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the NENA region, calls attention on "the alarming growth rate of obesity and   persistent undernutrition". He noted that the demographic and demographic   transition accompanied by a change in life styles have "led to significant   changes in diets and dietary habits which are not conducive to good health."

A move from a diet based   on grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits to one with higher consumption of   meat, processed foods and sugar, salt and fat has been linked to diet related diseases. With this combined, with a more sedentary lifestyle has "led to   rising incidence of obesity, even in countries burdened by undernutrition",   Ould Ahmed added.

He also drew attention to   the impact of conflict on some countries in the region, where agricultural   production and food systems have been disrupted, and livestock production has   declined affecting the availability of food.  This is compounded with the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation, both fundamental to   nutrition, health and dignity of human beings.

Ould Ahmed encouraged the participants to "highlight the importance of an integrated approach to nutrition, from production to consumption that considers the needs of  children and vulnerable populations in conflict contexts." He also stressed   that UN agencies together with the International Food Policy Research   Institute (IFPRI) must continue to join hands to shed light on the nutrition   challenge and share experiences and solutions each from its own perspective.

Zero Hunger and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition

This Symposium is one of   five follow-up regional gatherings after the International Symposium held at FAO in Rome in December 2016. It will address issues relevant to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger – and to the 2016-2025 UN's Decade of Action on Nutrition work program.

This event presents an   opportunity to review the regional situation of food systems, bringing examples from NENA countries. Participants will be exchanging knowledge,   experience and evidence on the need for transformational change in existing   food systems. Policy options and ways forward will also be explored.