The Philippines expressed solidarity with the rest of the world to find sustainable solutions to malnutrition at the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) held on 19-21 November 2014 in Rome, Italy.
Jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in cooperation with the High Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis (HLTF), IFAD, IFPRI, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, WFP and the WTO, ICN2 brought together national policymakers from agriculture, health and other relevant ministries and agencies from approximately 170 countries, including the Philippines.
Key messages were delivered by His Holiness Pope Francis, Queen Letizia of Spain, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Italian Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Paolo Gentiloni, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan and FAO-UN Director-General José Graziano da Silva, among others. Also present at ICN2 were leaders of UN agencies, other inter-governmental organizations and civil society (NGOs, researchers, the private sector and consumers).
Head of Philippine delegation delivers Philippine country statement.
Philippine delegation to ICN2 was headed by Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary and National Nutrition Council (NCC) Executive Director Maria-Bernardita T. Flores and joined by Ms. Maria Lourdes A. Vega, NCC Nutrition Policy and Planning Chief, Dr. Anthony Calibo, DOH Medical Specialist, Director Carlos Magnaye Department of Agriculture (DA) Planning Service and Geneva PM Second Secretary Arnel Talisayon, and officials of the Philippine Embassy in Rome.
With the theme, “Better Nutrition, Better Lives,” the high-level inter-governmental conference took stock of the progress made since ICN1 in 1992. Also discussed were ways to move the agenda forward of improving nutrition through a new policy framework in response to the complex challenges posed by changes in the global economy, food systems and developments in science and technology.
The Philippines committed to live up to the 2014 Rome Declaration on Nutrition and adapt the appropriate recommendations of the Framework for Action, ICN2’s two (2) main outcome documents. Like other countries, the Philippines, is experiencing the double burden of malnutrition, as well as high maternal and child mortality.
For the country, there is greater challenge as the Philippines is among the countries vulnerable to the effects of disasters and climate change. A year since the country was hit by Supertyphoon Haiyan, the Philippine Government continues efforts to rehabilitate and build back better, faster and safer communities. With this experience, the health and nutrition of those affected by disasters remain a key goal as those affected by disasters are among the nutritionally vulnerable specifically, women, infants and young children.
The Philippines thanked the international community as the country strengthens the engagement of international and national stakeholders on disaster risk reduction and mitigation. END
Philippine delegation at the roundtable discussions.
Philippine delegation to the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2): (fifth from left) Ms. Leila C. Lora-Santos (Chargé d'affaires, a.i.), and (third from right) Hon. Maria-Bernardita T. Flores (Department of Health Assistant Secretary and National Nutrition Council Executive Director).
