Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
21. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details about what was discussed at the Investing in Agriculture for Nutrition event in Washington, that was co-hosted by Minister for Development and Trade, Joe Costello. [23220/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraGood nutrition and food security are important pathways out of poverty. If investments in agriculture are designed to enhance nutrition outcomes, we can help stop the devastating and irreversible consequences of under-nutrition on child development and we can increase the economic potential of nations. It is estimated that eliminating under-nutrition in very young children could add up to 11 per cent to GDP growth in countries in Africa.
My Department hosted a major international conference on hunger-nutrition-climate justice, in partnership with the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice, on 15-16 April in Dublin Castle. A significant proportion of those who participated in the conference were representatives of local communities from the developing world who are most affected by these linked challenges. During that conference I heard from smallholder farmers who shared their experiences of trying to grow diverse and nutritious food in a world impacted by climate change. I committed to bringing their messages to international policy discussions.
To that end I hosted an event with my Canadian counterpart on ‘Investing in Agriculture for Nutrition’ during the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington DC on 19 April.
The event brought together key policy makers within the World Bank, along with the President of the Global Development Programme at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The discussions highlighted the courses of action that could help to incentivise efforts to leverage agricultural investment to improve nutrition. I shared the key messages from the Dublin conference, including in particular, the importance of empowering poor households and communities to engage in decision making. I strongly advocated that our response to these global challenges must be based on the needs and views of the people most directly involved.
I was delighted that Ireland and Canada were able to partner together in this way to advance the importance of allocating resources for nutrition and leveraging investments in other sectors, particularly agriculture. I was impressed by the progress that has been made by the World Bank in shaping its policies to be more nutrition focussed. This approach is key to achieving better nutritional outcomes. It will not just help children to grow and develop to their full potential, but with a better nourished workforce, developing countries will be able to further their own economic growth and development.
