A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of SDG targets 2.1 (food insecurity) and 2.2 (malnutrition), and micronutrient deficiencies, in Europe and Central Asia (ECA). The assessment is complemented by a review of recent policy measures taken to address food security and nutrition in all its dimensions, and by recommendations for policymakers. Titled ‘Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia,’ the report launch took place on 17 December 2019 in Moscow, Russia.

The report introduces an analysis based on the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity as well as on Food Insecurity Experience Scale surveys. It finds that “the prevalence at the moderate or severe level could be quite high, at an average of 11% for the ECA region, affecting more than 100 million people.” The report points out that “progress in reducing undernourishment and food insecurity has not only slowed but has virtually halted in the past three to four years – even reversing slightly in several countries.” Further, per the publication, all countries in the region register adult obesity that is greater than the global average of 13.2%, with some countries registering a prevalence twice as high as the world average. 

With regard to healthier diets, the publication notes that the region has made “good progress” making fruit and vegetables more available for consumption.

The publication addresses two drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition, namely socio-economic inequalities and government expenditures on agriculture. It emphasizes the need to consider socio-economic inequalities in the design of food and nutrition policies, programmes and interventions. A special section of the report looks at structural transformations currently taking place in Europe and Central Asia with regard to the economy, agriculture and food production, food consumption patterns and diets, and policies.

Some of the recommendations the report advances include:

• making food and agricultural policies and practices more nutrition-sensitive;
• promoting the diversification of farming;
• supporting small-scale and family farms, including through policies that create a market for extra output and social protection policies that can support the adoption of new technologies; and
• incentivizing healthy diets while discouraging unhealthy ones.

The publication underscores the need for governments to fill data gaps to enable in-depth, evidence-based policy analysis and subsequent better decision-making. [FAO Announcement] [FAO Website] [Publication: Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia]