Trade, investment and nutrition: Status update and policy coherence challenges of the United Nations decade of action on nutrition

Abstract

The United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016 - 2025) followed the Second International Conference on Nutrition in 2014. The Decade of Action aimed to accelerate global action on nutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases, however there are still significant challenges surrounding all forms of malnutrition, as well as food systems that are unsustainable and inequitable. Addressing these inequities requires policy action on nutrition across multiple sectors, including trade. This paper provides an overview of recommendations relevant to trade and investment of the Second International Conference on Nutrition and concludes with an analysis of opportunities to promote policy coherence regarding nutrition. Recommendations relate to engaging with trade-related institutions on nutrition, promoting and protecting nutrition and the right to adequate food through trade and investment agreements, integrating nutrition into food and agriculture policy, and strengthening local food systems and equity. Addressing these recommendations and achieving policy coherence between trade and nutrition requires robust research into the interaction between trade and nutrition, engagement and capacity building with diverse actors, carving space for nutrition in trade and investment agreements, and creating institutional mechanisms that enable nutrition and trade policy actors to create trade policy that is coherent with global and national nutrition goals.