Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia 2018

Abstract

This report provides new evidence for monitoring trends in food security and nutrition within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The publication focuses on migration, gender, youth, and the linkages with rural development and food security in the region. Migration is tied in multiple ways to gender, youth, and agricultural and rural development – both as a driver and as a possible source of development opportunities, with labour migration and remittances playing significant roles in the region. The Europe and Central Asia region encompasses great economic, social and environmental diversity, and its countries are facing various food security and nutrition challenges. While they have made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of undernourishment over the past two decades, new evidence shows a stagnation of this trend, particularly in Central Asia. Malnutrition in one or more of its three main forms – undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity – is present to varying degrees in all countries of the region. According to the report, changing migration processes need to be fully understood to better address the challenges of migration and harness the potential benefits for sustainable development and revitalized rural areas. Governments, public and private institutions, communities and other concerned parties must strengthen collaboration and scale up efforts towards achieving the goals of a thriving, healthy and food-secure region.