IMPLEMENTATION OF ICN DECLARATION AND PLAN OF ACTION IN THE NEAR EAST REGION

The joint initiative by FAO and WHO to convene the International Confercnce on Nutrtion (ICN) was undertaken with the recognition that, not withstanding the significant progress made woridwide in increasing food supplies and improving nutritional statUs, the world community continues to fall far short of assuring adequate access by all people to the food they need for good health and nutritional well-being.At the time of the ICN, an estimated 800 million people were unable to obtain sufficient food to meet minimum energy needs, and about 2000 millions were suffering from dificiencies of various micronutrients. A large number of the world population are affected bye diseases caused by contaminated food and water. from 11 to 13 milion children lass than 5 years die every year due to undernutrition and infectious diseases. increasing public awareness of nutritional problems worldwide, promoting effective astrtegies and actions to address these problems, and encouraging the political commitment necessary to do so were primary purposes for holding the ICN.