Resolution: The impact of food and nutrition on public health the case for a food and nutrition policy and an action plan for the European Region of WHO 2000–2005

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE COPENHAGEN REGIONAL COMMITIEE FOR EUROPE Fiftieth session, Copenhagen, 11 - 14 September 2000 Resolution The impact of food and nutrition on public health The case for a food and nutrition policy and an action plan for the European Region of WHO 2000–2005 EUR/RCSO/R8 00001 13 September 2000 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH EUR/RC50/R8 THE IMPACT OF FOOD AND NUTRITION ON PUBLIC HEAL TH THE CASE FOR A FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY AND AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE EUROPEAN REGION OF WHO 2000-2005 The Regional Committee, Concerned by the threat to public health from the lack of safe and healthy food; Recognizing the roles of other international organizations and sectors with an interest in food; Recalling Health Assembly resolution WHA46. 7, which called for implementation of comprehensive plans of action on nutrition and which endorsed the goals of the fourth United Nations Development Decade and the World Summit for Children; Further recalling previous Health Assembly resolutions and particularly WHA49.15 on infant and young child nutrition and WHA52.24 on the prevention and control of iodine deficiency, which demonstrate the need for comprehensive food and nutrition policies; Having considered document EUR/RC50/8, entitled The impact of food and nutrition on public health - The case for a food and nutrition policy and action plan for the European Region of WHO 2000-2005; I. ENDORSES the Action Plan for the European Region of WHO for 2000-2005; 2. RECOMMENDS that Member States take steps to carry out the Action Plan, taking account of differences in their cultural, social, legal and economic environments; 3. REQUESTS European integrational, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to undertake joint action with Member States and the Regional Office to maximize Region-wide efforts to promote public health through food and nutrition policy; 4. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (a) to ensure appropriate support for the Action Plan from the WHO Regional Office for Europe; (b) to cooperate with and support Member States and other organizations in comprehensive efforts to promote public health through appropriate food and nutrition policies; ( c) to examine the possibility of setting up, in collaboration with international agencies, the European Commission and the Council of Europe, a Task Force for Food and Nutrition Policies in the European Region of WHO; ( d) to organize a ministerial conference in 2005 to evaluate the implementation of comprehensive food and nutrition policies at regional and country levels; 5. URGES Member States to report on steps taken to promote the health of their population through a food and nutrition policy at the ministerial conference to be held in 2005; 6. REQUESTS the Regional Director to report to the Regional Committee in 2002 on the progress made in implementing the Action Plan. European HEALTH21 targets 3, I I.