ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia took part in the Global Food Security Summit (GFSS 2023): Towards Zero Hunger and Endling Malnutrition for the theme Shifting the Dial on How We Address Child Wasting which was held at Lancaster House, London, England, on Monday, November 20, 2023.
At the forum, Indonesia was represented by Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dida Gardera.
On this occasion, Deputy Dida gave a keynote speech at the Creating New Approaches to Ending Preventable Deaths of Children session. He conveyed Indonesia’s commitment to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in children from 10.2% in 2018 to less than 7% in 2024.
Indonesia has made significant progress in fighting malnutrition over the last twenty years. The stunting rate among children under five has fallen from more than 40% in 2000 to below 30% in 2022.
Furthermore, Deputy Dida also emphasized again the importance of cooperation between nations and parties to collaborate in eliminating hunger and ending malnutrition, especially child wasting.
The world needs to drive long-term change against hunger and malnutrition. Support from all parties is needed to increase food security by developing crops that are resistant to climate change and increasing funding to overcome child malnutrition which is already quite worrying.
The international community is urged to immediately address the main causes of food insecurity, build a more resilient food system and act immediately to prevent food crises and malnutrition. Climate change, conflict, the long-term impact of COVID-19, and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on global food supplies are key drivers of food insecurity.
Many children are hungry and malnourished. The Global Food Security Summit calls for unity to change and find solutions and tackle hunger and malnutrition. Cutting-edge science and innovative partnerships will help countries create a healthier, safer and more prosperous world for people, especially children and women.
The 2023 Global Food Security Summit was officially opened by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and closed by former British Prime Minister and now Foreign Minister David Cameron. Also present were the President of Somalia, Director General of WHO, Bill Gates, ministers from various countries and other international institutions.
On this occasion, bilateral talks were also held with the UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, The Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP from FCDO – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and The Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, The Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP for Defra – Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. On the sidelines of the summit, on various occasions Indonesia was also praised for its policies in handling the Covid-19 pandemic which were still able to maintain the momentum of economic growth. (AT Network)
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