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1st Voluntary Guidelines to End Hunger – WFS | UPSC
HEADLINES:
UN Committee for World Food Security endorses voluntary guidelines to end hunger
WHY IN NEWS:
The guidelines will contribute to realisation of global goals on hunger and nutrition even as more than 3 billion people do not have access to healthy diets
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : International Organisations
ISSUE:
The first-ever voluntary guidelines on food systems and nutrition meant to end hunger and malnutrition were endorsed by members of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) February 11, 2021.
COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (CFS)
- The endorsement took place at the 47th Session of CFS that was held virtually February 8-11.
1ST VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO END HUNGER
- The guidelines have been developed to support countries in their efforts to eradicate all forms of hunger and malnutrition by utilising a comprehensive food systems approach.
FOCUS ARES
They are structured around seven focus areas:
- Transparent, democratic and accountable governance
- Sustainable food supply chains to achieve healthy diets in the context of economic, social and environmental sustainability and climate change
- Equal and equitable access to healthy diets through sustainable food systems
- Food safety across sustainable food systems
- People-centred nutrition knowledge, education and information
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment across food systems
- Resilient food systems in humanitarian contexts
SIGNIFICANCE
- They call for realisation of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security for all, particularly for the most vulnerable and affected groups.
- They focus on policy planning and governance so that food systems can be made more resilient and responsive.
- Such policies will also be in accordance with needs of consumers and producers too, especially small and marginal farmers.
- Governments have been asked to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures that impede the full achievement of the guidelines.
IASbhai WINDUP:
The next step — the guidelines’ uptake and implementation at the regional, national and local level — would be even more important and challenging.