"Distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of everyone at UNICEF, I extend my because of the Micronutrient Forum for bringing us together today.
"And to all or any the partners gathered here today — many thanks for standing with us in common cause: to finish malnutrition altogether its forms. And to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis stronger than before.
"We have a singular opportunity to reply , recover and reimagine better, simpler nutrition policies, programmes and actions for the longer term .
"Micronutrients must be part of this nutrition transformation. An opportunity to blunt the “hidden hunger” than affects at least half of the world’s children. And to build on the progress we’ve made in the last two decades. "Progress we measure within the one-third reduction within the number of under-five children affected by stunting since 2000 — and therefore the 55 million fewer children affected by stunted growth and development. "Progress we measure within the 80 million more children now benefitting from exclusive breastfeeding in infancy.
"Progress we measure within the availability of iodized salt to nine out of 10 households within the world. "And progress we measure within the 250 million children reached last year with vitamin A supplementation.
"Achievement after achievement. All showing that positive change at scale is possible.
"But our work must continue. "Inequalities, globalization, urbanization, humanitarian crises and climate shocks — and now the pandemic — are threatening to reverse our progress.
"One in three of the world’s children under age five is malnourished.
"At least two in three aren't receiving the minimum diet they have to grow, develop and learn to their full potential. "We’re seeing an alarming rise within the number of youngsters suffering from overweight and obesity — across all age-groups, regions, and countries.
"And the pandemic has dramatically disrupted nutrition services and delivery in many countries round the world.
"Including for critical micronutrients.
"We fear, for instance , that almost 87 million fewer children will get the 2 doses of vitamin A they have this year. A 35 per cent decline over last year.
"And that 41 million fewer adolescents will go without iron-folic acid supplementation programmes to stop anemia due to school closures. "And across the board, COVID-19 disruptions are having negative effects on child feeding practices and diets.
"Budgets are stretched — for families and government support services alike.
"Transportation and provide chain disruptions are taking a toll.
"And with school closures, quite 300 million children are missing out on school meals. Often the only meal they receive each day.
"Earlier this year, UNICEF, along side FAO, WFP and WHO, issued a five-point Call to Action on child malnutrition.
"First, safeguard and promote access to nutritious, safe, and affordable diets. This is essential."Second, invest in improving maternal and child nutrition through pregnancy, infancy, and infancy .
"Third, re-activate and scale-up services for the first detection and treatment of kid wasting.
"Fourth, maintain the supply of nutritious and safe school meals for vulnerable children.
"And fifth, expand social protection to safeguard access to nutritious diets and essential services.
"But as we invest in these actions, we also recognize that no single sector, government, agency, or business can solve this problem on their own.
"We must work together , and do so across five key systems: food, health, water and sanitation, education and social protection. All of the ingredients that support good nutrition and diets."This systems approach will be a cornerstone of UNICEF’s upcoming Nutrition Strategy for 2020-2030. We stand able to work with governments, civil society, academia and therefore the refore the private sector to reimagine the longer term of nutrition and the systems that support it.
"And we'll join the worldwide call to rework food systems and nutrition at next year’s Global Food Systems Summit in ny , convened by the UN Secretary-General, and the Nutrition For Growth Summit, convened by the govt of Japan. "By standing together for nutrition — by uniting around a standard involve positive change — we will observe nutrition an everyday reality for youngsters , everywhere.
"So let’s be guided by the evidence, ideas and commitment generated at this Forum.
"Let’s repose on the wonderful progress achieved over the last 20 years .
"And within the years resulting in 2030, let’s protect that progress — and do far more to eliminate all sorts of malnutrition."This isn't the time to lower our ambition. This is a time for champions, and I am calling on each one of you to lead the global nutrition transformation in every nation — and for every child.
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