Secretary-General, in Video Message, Congratulates Governments Committing to End Hunger by 2025, Address Nutrition as Integral to Development

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Second International Conference on Nutrition, in Rome, today:

This Conference marks a new stage in our quest to banish global hunger and malnutrition for good.  I know from my own country’s experience the crippling effect that hunger and malnutrition can have.

A great deal of progress has been made since I issued the Zero Hunger Challenge, calling on Governments, civil society, faith communities, the private sector and research institutions to unite to end hunger and eliminate the worst forms of malnutrition.

Now, more than 100 developing countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean have committed to end hunger by 2025, as have others in Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East.

The 54 countries leading the Scaling up Nutrition Movement have recognized nutrition as integral to their social and economic development.  Many countries are also responding to the increasing challenge of obesity.

I congratulate Governments for having successfully negotiated the Rome Declaration on Nutrition and Framework for Action.

We must now redouble our efforts.

I look forward to learning of the national commitments that each of you will make.   In turn, the United Nations system pledges to do all that it can to provide effective support.  I wish you every success.  Thank you.