2017年欧洲及中亚粮食安全和营养状况（英文版）-2mb

Summary of "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia, 2017"

Core Content

This report, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia, 2017, is part of the FAO's global monitoring efforts for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. It provides an in-depth assessment of the food security and nutrition situation in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, focusing on the progress made and challenges faced in relation to SDG 2 Targets 2.1 and 2.2. The report also highlights the role of natural resource management and climate change in shaping the future of food security in the region.

Main Views and Key Information

1. Food Insecurity and Hunger in the ECA Region

• The ECA region has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of undernourishment since the 1990s.
• The Prevalence of Undernourishment (PoU) is the traditional metric used by FAO to measure hunger, based on national food balance sheets and consumption surveys.
• The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) is a new tool that measures the experience of food insecurity at the household and individual level, capturing both the quantity and quality of food access.
• Severe food insecurity is defined as situations where individuals or households have to reduce food quantity or quality, skip meals, or go entire days without food due to lack of resources.
• The report indicates that Tajikistan has the highest prevalence of undernourishment in the ECA region (30.1% in 2014-2016), followed by the Republic of Moldova (8.5%), Georgia (7%), Kyrgyzstan (6.4%), Uzbekistan (6.3%), and Serbia (5.6%).
• The Caucasus and Southeastern Europe (SEE) sub-regions had the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity (5.4% and 5.2%, respectively), while the EU-28, EFTA, and European CIS sub-regions had the lowest (1.7%, 1.3%, and 0.7%, respectively).

2. The Triple Burden of Malnutrition

• The ECA region faces the triple burden of malnutrition, which includes undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.
• This is particularly evident in countries where residual undernutrition, persisting micronutrient deficiencies, and rapidly growing obesity coexist.
• Stunting (low height-for-age in children under five) is a major indicator of undernutrition and is associated with poor socioeconomic conditions and adverse health and feeding practices.
• Wasting and overweight among children under five are also reported, showing a complex nutritional landscape.
• Micronutrient deficiencies, such as anaemia, remain a significant issue in the region, particularly among women of reproductive age.

3. Policy Developments to Achieve SDG 2 Targets

• The report outlines national and regional policy developments in the ECA region from 2015 to 2017 aimed at improving food availability, access, and utilization.
• These include increased budgetary allocations for agricultural programmes, social protection policies, and nutrition-specific interventions.
• There is a growing recognition of the interlinkages between SDG 2 and other SDGs, such as SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 3 (good health), and SDG 12 (responsible consumption).
• The Rome Declaration on Nutrition and the Framework for Action of the Second International Conference on Nutrition are key references for policy development in the region.

4. Natural Resources and Climate Change

• The state of natural resources in the ECA region is a critical factor in food security, especially in the context of climate change.
• Land degradation, water scarcity, and increased natural hazards are identified as key risk factors that may hinder progress towards SDG 2.
• The report emphasizes the importance of reducing food losses and waste as a strategy to improve efficiency in agricultural and food systems, reduce environmental and economic costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusions

• The ECA region has made notable progress in reducing hunger and undernutrition, but challenges remain, particularly in countries with high prevalence of undernourishment and the triple burden of malnutrition.
• The introduction of the FIES provides a more accurate and timely assessment of food insecurity at the household level.
• The interlinkages between food security, nutrition, and climate change highlight the need for integrated approaches to policy-making.
• Continued efforts, supported by evidence and analysis, are essential to achieve the SDG 2 targets and ensure food security and nutrition for all in the region by 2030.