Governments, WFP Meet in Pakistan for Nutrition Talks – Mirage News

Global Learning Event on Nutrition-Sensitive Social Protection

Event Overview and Objectives

A three-day learning event convened by the Global Task Force on Social Protection for Nutrition commenced in Islamabad. The event is co-hosted by the Governments of Pakistan and Timor-Leste, with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) serving as the Secretariat. The primary objective is to foster dialogue and build shared commitment to making social protection policies and programmes more nutrition-focused, thereby accelerating progress on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Delegates from the following nations are participating to exchange lessons, evidence, and innovations:

• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• Lao PDR
• Nepal
• Niger
• Timor-Leste
• Pakistan

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The event underscores a shared international commitment to achieving Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and ending poverty in all its forms (SDG 1). A central theme is the implementation of nationally appropriate social protection systems for all, a key component of Target 1.3 under SDG 1. The collaboration among participating governments and partners exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and highlights the leadership of the Global South in shaping the future of nutrition-sensitive social protection.

Case Study: Pakistan’s Leadership in Achieving SDGs 1 and 2

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)

As the host nation, Pakistan is showcasing its leadership in social protection and nutrition through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Since its launch in 2008, BISP has been instrumental in advancing SDG 1 by shifting from fragmented welfare schemes to a coordinated national programme. It has served as a foundation for innovations such as digital payments and nutrition-sensitive interventions, establishing a globally recognized model for poverty reduction.

The Benazir Nashonuma Programme: A Model for SDG 2

A flagship initiative under BISP, the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, was launched in 2020 with support from WFP, UNICEF, and WHO. This programme directly targets the objectives of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by focusing on the prevention of stunting in young children. Its key interventions include:

1. Providing targeted support to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
2. Focusing on children under two years of age during the critical first 1,000 days.
3. Integrating nutrition goals directly into the national social protection framework.

Measurable Impact on Health and Nutrition (SDG 3)

A recent evaluation by Aga Khan University found that the Benazir Nashonuma Programme has produced significant positive outcomes. The evaluation reported that stunting at six months of age was 20 percent lower among programme beneficiaries. This result represents one of the strongest nutrition outcomes ever recorded at scale, providing clear evidence of the programme’s effectiveness in contributing to SDG 3.

International Collaboration and Future Outlook

Statements from Global Leaders

The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, stated that integrating nutrition into social protection is a major milestone and that ending malnutrition is a development priority that shapes the future of all nations. Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of BISP, affirmed the commitment to sustain and expand the programme’s achievements. WFP Representative Coco Ushiyama highlighted that Pakistan’s experience demonstrates that integrating social protection and nutrition is feasible, impactful, and cost-effective. On behalf of the President of Timor-Leste, Vice Minister Ceu Brites called for collective action to create a world where no one is left behind, in line with the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Call to Action for Global South Leadership

The event serves as a platform to move from commitment to collective action. It reinforces the leadership role of nations in the Global South in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve universal social protection and end all forms of malnutrition. The collaborative efforts are crucial for making significant progress on SDG 1 and SDG 2 globally.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article explicitly mentions this goal in relation to social protection systems. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is described as a “globally recognised model for poverty reduction,” directly linking the programme’s efforts to the overarching goal of ending poverty.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • This goal is explicitly mentioned as “Zero Hunger (Sustainable Development Goal 2)”. The entire article focuses on nutrition, preventing malnutrition, and addressing stunting in young children, which are central components of achieving Zero Hunger. The Benazir Nashonuma Programme is a key initiative discussed for its role in this area.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Although not mentioned by number, this goal is strongly implied. The article’s focus on preventing stunting, which is defined as “impaired growth and development in young children,” and providing support to “pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under two” directly relates to improving maternal and child health outcomes. The involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO) further reinforces this connection.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • This goal is demonstrated through the collaborative nature of the event and the programmes described. The article details a partnership between governments (Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Cambodia, etc.) and international organizations (WFP, UNICEF, WHO) under the “Global Task Force on Social Protection for Nutrition.” This multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for achieving the other SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
   • The article explicitly references this target, stating the event reflects the spirit of collaboration required to achieve “universal social protection (target 1.3 under Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty)”. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is presented as a prime example of a nationally coordinated social protection programme.
2. Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.
   • The article’s central theme is the effort to combat malnutrition. The Benazir Nashonuma Programme specifically focuses on “preventing stunting” and targets “pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under two,” which aligns perfectly with the objectives of this target.
3. Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
   • The focus on the “first thousand days” (from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday) and the prevention of stunting are critical interventions for improving child survival and reducing under-5 mortality, thus contributing directly to this target.
4. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • The learning event itself, co-hosted by Pakistan and Timor-Leste and involving delegates from multiple countries and UN agencies, is a direct manifestation of this target. It is an effort to “exchange lessons, evidence and innovations” and “build shared commitment” through a global partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 2.2 (Prevalence of stunting):
   • The article provides a specific, quantifiable indicator of progress. It cites an evaluation by Aga Khan University which “found stunting at six months of age to be 20 percent lower among Nashonuma beneficiaries.” This is a direct measurement of the programme’s impact on reducing stunting.
2. Indicator for Target 1.3 (Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems):
   • While not providing a specific number, the article implies this indicator through its description of the BISP as a “nationally coordinated programme” that has shifted Pakistan from “fragmented welfare schemes.” The mention of its expansion and the goal to “sustain the achievements” suggest that the programme’s coverage and reach are key metrics for its success.
3. Indicator for Target 17.16 (Number of countries and stakeholders reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks):
   • The article implies this through its description of the event’s participants. The collaboration involves multiple governments (“Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Niger, Timor-Leste and Pakistan”) and international partners (“WFP, UNICEF, and WHO”), convened under the “Global Task Force on Social Protection for Nutrition.” The existence and activities of this task force serve as an indicator of a functioning multi-stakeholder partnership.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: miragenews.com