United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

 

Report of the Sub-Committee on Nutrition at its Twenty-Fifth Session

II.  Work in Progress:  Summary of Discussion and Conclusions

G.  Follow-up to the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) and World Food Summit (WFS)

76. WHO reported that 162 countries are in the process of preparing, or have finalized, national food and nutrition plans or policies (NPANs).  Recent discussion amongst regional WHO advisors indicated that effectively implemented NPANs have three common features: 

  • political commitment,  i.e.,  a committed budget or a food and nutrition policy as part of a national development policy;
  • a focused approach and targeted priorities;
  • an institutional infrastructure for nutrition, for example a  national institute.

Some countries have prepared an NPAN with a limited focus, others are more comprehensive.  Some countries are only implementing part of their NPAN. Following a consultation in the European region, a comparative analysis and synthesis of 51 country reports has been completed by WHO/Copenhagen and will be sent to individual countries with a follow-up questionnaire in 1998. A similar synthesis for the SE Asia region is also available. Regional and sub-regional meetings are planned to continue reviewing and evaluating progress with follow-up.

77.  WHO offered  to carry out a comparative analysis of budgetary allocations in NPANs across different countries, in collaboration with FAO and IFPRI.  An analysis of the best examples of NPANs was also suggested to identify important lessons learned.  The idea that the Commission's work should be incorporated into regional follow-up meetings was again supported.  The question of availability of the NPANs and country reports was raised.  Some copies are held at WHO and others at FAO. However, it was observed that these plans are continually being updated at ICN follow-up regional meetings.  Updated plans are held at regional offices.

78.  The Chair reminded that the SCN is mandated by the ICN Plan of Action to prepare periodic reports on ICN follow up, and it was recognized that this obligation has not been met.  However, it was felt that the newly-proposed strategic plan might be considered as part of this follow-up.  It was suggested that a country representative be invited to the next SCN Session to present their NPAN.  More discussion of WFS follow up was requested for the next SCN Session.  It was concluded that:

  • a process of circulation and availability of the NPANs should be encouraged;
  • this process should be drawn on in preparing the strategic plan of action; 
  • the Commission's work should be fed into the regional follow-up ICN meetings;
  • WHO and FAO should explore with IFPRI some options for analysis of "best practice"  NPANs;
  • participation by bilaterals and donors in the follow-up process especially regional meetings should be encouraged.