Aspiration one (1) of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 envisions a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development with goal three (3) highlighting the importance of healthy and well-nourished citizens. Agenda 2063 further recognizes human capital development as a critical means to deliver the vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent and therefore investments in Africa’s people is fundamental. Human capital is key for development as it leads to improved lives for individuals, higher earnings and improved incomes for countries. Under this backdrop, H.E. President Alassane Quatarra, the President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, (EX.CL/1266(XXXVIII) submitted a proposal to have the African Union (AU) theme for the Year 2022 dedicated to strengthening the fight against malnutrition in all its forms.
The proposed theme was launched by the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Union in February 2022 by the title “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agri-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.”
The theme aims to celebrate nutrition gains in recent years and sets the continent on the right track for maintaining a strong political momentum on nutrition. The year 2022 further provides an opportunity to strengthen, continental, regional and national commitments to end malnutrition in all its forms given: the increase in morbidity and mortality related to malnutrition and the associated socio-economic impacts. Endorsing the theme of the year, the Heads of States and Government reaffirmedthecontinued importance of nutrition especially child nutrition as a major pillar in human capital development, social and economic transformation of Africa and called on all member states to continue prioritizing nutrition through the implementation of the priorities outlined in 2022-year action plan.
With the increased efforts and commitment to prioritise and invest in nutrition at the continental and national level, Africa’s share in the world’s undernourished population decreased from 35.5 percent in 1990 to 22 percent in 2019. Despite these gains, efforts to improve food security and nutrition in the continent need to be intensified as most African Member States are unlikely to reach the Malabo declaration by 2025 of reducing stunting to 10% and Underweight to 5%.
The theme further recognizes the multisectoral nature of addressing malnutrition. The root causes of malnutrition are complex as Africa continues to experience the negative effects of climate change and environmental challenges including recurrent episodes of drought and floods, pest and disease outbreaks, conflicts, natural disasters, insufficient food production, trade restrictions, and unsatisfactory involvement of women and youth in agriculture.
In a bid to achieve the goals of the 2022 theme of nutrition, the Commission and other stakeholders aim to strengthen data management and information systems, knowledge generation and dissemination to inform decision making. Advocacy efforts will be leveled up to increase commitment and nutrition Investment. Additionally, in promoting coherent and harmonized action and transparency for partnerships and mutual accountability discussions with various stakeholders will be organized.
The Commission also plans to put mechanisms of enhancing institutional capacity and enabling environment for nutrition, for intensified action and delivery of results and impact.
As provided on the African Regional Nutrition Strategy (ARNS), the Commission calls on all AU Member States to put together multi-sectoral nutrition action plans, budgets and expenditure tracking systems for effective implementation and monitoring of nutrition interventions.
The exceptional leadership of His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and AU Champion for nutrition has kept nutrition high on the policy agenda of member states. The African Union in this regard has endorsed the extension of His mandate for another term (2022-2024), to lead in the implementation of the AU theme of the year. In 2020, H.E. King Letsie III called on leaders to embed nutrition within the COVID-19 response and recovery. The continent is encouraged to address the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on food security and nutrition.
The Mid-year implementation report on the theme of the year will be presented at the fourth (4th) Mid-year coordination meeting of AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Lusaka, Zambia scheduled for July 2022.
