High Level Meeting to Help Address Micronutrient Deficiencies in Africa through Food Fortification

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8 Sep 2021 - 11:46

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The African Union Commission (AUC) in conjunction with the government of Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the West African Health Organization (WAHO), jointly organized a two-day virtual consultation on how to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in Africa through food fortification.

The meeting, held from 2-3 September 2021, was under the theme "Food Fortification: Which Dietary Approach to Reduce Micronutrient Deficiencies in Africa?”

It was attended by several key players in the health, food security, nutrition and food systems in Africa, including; representatives of governments, regional and sub-regional organizations, the African Parliamentarians’ Network, development partners, United Nations agencies, control and regulatory agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

The meeting afforded participants the chance to deliberate, as well as exchange experiences and good practices in food fortification at the global, regional and national levels for the purposes of developing strategic interventions to improve food nutrition in Africa.

The Regional Centre of Excellence against Hunger and Malnutrition (CERFAM), a regional hub for nutrition established jointly by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and the WFP to support African countries in their national efforts to develop and implement sustainable policies and programmes to achieve Zero Hunger (SDG2) and combat all forms of malnutrition in line with the 2030 Agenda, facilitated the meeting.

The meeting was held against the background that micronutrient deficiencies or “hidden hunger” constitute a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, as an estimated 12.7 million children under the age of five are deemed to be suffering from acute malnutrition.

The consultation was therefore in sync with the African Union's Agenda 2063, the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Nutrition (2016 - 2025), the Tokyo 2020 Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) and the proposed Food Systems Summit 2021.

The forum was addressed by various dignitaries who are major stakeholders in agriculture and nutrition sectors on the continent.

H.E. Ms. Josefa Sacko, AUC Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) described the meeting as important because, “healthy nutrition strategy and high- level political commitment are needed to facilitate quality nutrition that will allow children to survive, grow, develop, learn, play, participate and work”.

Prof. Stanley Okolo, Director General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) indicated that even though some African countries were making inroads in food fortification, WAHO, in tandem with the Department of Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, would continue to support Member States and stakeholders to enhance their efforts in food fortification in their respective countries”.

Chris Nikoi, WFP Regional Director for Western Africa indicated that fortification of staple foods, and bio-fortification were essential in strengthening food systems that would make nutritious foods available and affordable for all, to improve diets and tackle micronutrient deficiencies across populations and generations, from unborn children to the elderly.”

Mr. Abdourahmane Cissé, Minister and Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, expressed the commitment of his Government to the fight against all forms of malnutrition with emphasis on food fortification. Côte d'Ivoire, is touted for its fight against malnutrition by prioritizing it in the country's Development Plan under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara.

For more information please contact:

· Simplice Nouala Fonkou (Dr.), Head of Division ARBE-AUC, Noualas@africa-union.org

· Patrick Teixeira, CERFAM Director. patrick.teixeira@wfp.org

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