Will We Achieve Zero Hunger by 2030? The Challenges and Opportunities of SDG 2 By Phillimon Mulemena

 Will We Achieve Zero Hunger by 2030? The Challenges and Opportunities of SDG 2

By Phillimon Mulemena

Hunger is one of the most pressing and pervasive challenges facing humanity. According to the latest report by the United Nations, more than 800 million people suffer from chronic undernourishment, and nearly 150 million children are stunted due to malnutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, pushing millions more into food insecurity and poverty.

In 2015, the world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a set of 17 goals and 169 targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. Among these goals, the second one - SDG 2 - aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

With less than seven years left until the 2030 deadline, how far have we come in achieving SDG 2? What are the main challenges and opportunities that we face in ending hunger and malnutrition? And what actions are needed to accelerate progress and ensure that no one is left behind? These are some of the questions that this blog post will explore, based on the latest data, evidence, and insights from experts and practitioners in the field.

The current state of hunger and malnutrition

Hunger and malnutrition are complex and multidimensional problems that affect every region and country in the world. According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report, the number of people affected by hunger has increased by 10 million since 2019, and by nearly 60 million since 2014. The report estimates that around 9.9 percent of the world population was undernourished in 2020, up from 8.4 percent in 2019.

The causes and consequences of hunger and malnutrition are diverse and interrelated, ranging from poverty, inequality, conflict, climate change, environmental degradation, poor governance, and lack of access to health, education, and social protection. Hunger and malnutrition not only affect the health and well-being of individuals, but also the economic and social development of countries and regions. The report estimates that the global cost of malnutrition is about 10 percent of the world’s GDP, equivalent to USD 3.5 trillion per year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of complexity and urgency to the hunger and malnutrition challenge. The pandemic has disrupted food systems, livelihoods, markets, trade, and humanitarian assistance, affecting the availability, affordability, and quality of food for millions of people. The report projects that the pandemic could push an additional 83 to 132 million people into chronic hunger by the end of 2020, depending on the economic recovery scenario.

The progress and challenges of SDG 2

Despite the grim picture of the current state of hunger and malnutrition, there have been some achievements and progress in the past decades. According to the Progress Report on the SDGs 2023, the world has made some advances in reducing the prevalence of undernourishment, stunting, wasting, and anemia among women and children, as well as in increasing the productivity and income of small-scale food producers, and in maintaining the genetic diversity of seeds, plants, and animals.

However, the report also warns that the progress is insufficient and uneven, and that the world is not on track to achieve SDG 2 by 2030. The report identifies some of the major gaps and challenges that hinder the achievement of SDG 2, such as:

·        The lack of political commitment and investment in food security and nutrition, especially in the most vulnerable and marginalized groups and regions.

·        The insufficient integration and coordination of food security and nutrition policies and programs across different sectors and levels of governance, such as health, education, agriculture, environment, and social protection.

·        The inadequate data and monitoring systems to track and measure the progress and impact of food security and nutrition interventions and outcomes, as well as to identify and address the emerging issues and risks.

·        The limited capacity and innovation of food systems to adapt to the changing needs and preferences of consumers, producers, and the environment, as well as to cope with the shocks and stresses of climate change, conflict, and pandemics.

Achieving SDG 2 requires the collective and concerted efforts of various actors and stakeholders, such as governments, international organizations, civil society, private sector, and academia. The report highlights some of the key initiatives and partnerships that have been established to support and advance SDG 2, such as:

·        The Committee on World Food Security, the foremost inclusive and intergovernmental platform for policy coherence and coordination on food security and nutrition.

·        The Scaling Up Nutrition Movement, a global network of countries, organizations, and individuals committed to ending malnutrition in all its forms.

·        The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the specialized agency that leads the international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security and nutrition.

·        The World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization that provides food assistance and resilience building to the most vulnerable and food-insecure populations.

·        The International Fund for Agricultural Development, the financial institution that invests in rural people, empowering them to increase their food security and nutrition, improve their livelihoods, and overcome poverty.

·        The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food-secure future.

The opportunities and actions for SDG 2

While the challenges and obstacles of achieving SDG 2 are daunting, there are also opportunities and actions that can be leveraged and taken to accelerate progress and ensure that no one is left behind. Some of the opportunities and actions that can be pursued are:

·        Addressing the root causes and structural barriers of hunger and malnutrition, such as poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change, by implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a whole, and by strengthening the human rights-based approach to food security and nutrition.

·        Promoting innovation and collaboration among different sectors and actors, such as health, education, agriculture, environment, and social protection, by fostering cross-cutting and integrated policies and programs, and by enhancing the multi-stakeholder platforms and partnerships for SDG 2.

·        Investing in food security and nutrition, especially in the most vulnerable and marginalized groups and regions, by mobilizing and allocating adequate and predictable resources, and by ensuring the accountability and transparency of the use and impact of the funds.

·        Transforming food systems to make them more sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and nutritious, by supporting the small-scale food producers, processors, and traders, and by improving the efficiency, diversity, and quality of the food supply chains.

·        Empowering the people and communities to participate and benefit from the food systems, by enhancing their access to and control over the productive resources, services, and markets, and by improving their awareness and education on food security and nutrition.

Investing in food security and nutrition is not only a moral obligation, but also a smart and strategic decision. According to the Cost of Hunger in Africa study, every USD 1 invested in reducing chronic undernutrition in children yields a return of USD 16 in increased productivity and reduced health costs. Moreover, investing in food security and nutrition can also contribute to the achievement of other SDGs, such as poverty reduction, health improvement, education enhancement, gender equality, environmental protection, and peace promotion.

Conclusion

Hunger and malnutrition are among the most urgent and complex challenges that the world faces today. Achieving SDG 2 by 2030 is not only a goal, but also a necessity, for the survival and well-being of millions of people, and for the development and prosperity of countries and regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has added another dimension of urgency and complexity to the hunger and malnutrition challenge, but also an opportunity to rethink and rebuild the food systems for a better and more sustainable future.

The world has the knowledge, the resources, and the will to end hunger and malnutrition. What is needed is the action, the collaboration, and the investment. We all have a role and a responsibility to play in achieving SDG 2. Whether you are a policy maker, a researcher, a practitioner, a donor, a consumer, or a citizen, you can make a difference. Join us in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, and help us create a world where everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Together, we can achieve zero hunger by 2030.