UNITED NATIONS - ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ON COORDINATION - SUB COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION (ACC/SCN)

The ACC/SCN is the focal point for harmonizing the policies and activities in nutrition of the United Nations system. The Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC), which is comprised of the heads of the UN Agencies, recommended the establishment of the Sub-Committee on Nutrition in 1977, following the World Food Conference (with particular reference to Resolution V on food and nutrition). This was approved by the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC). The role of the SCN is to serve as a coordinating mechanism, for exchange of information and technical guidance, and to act dynamically to help the UN respond to nutritional problems.

The UN members of the SCN are: FAO, IBRD, IFAD, ILO, UN, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNU, WFC, WFP and WHO. From the outset, representatives of bilateral donor agencies have participated actively in SCN activities. The SCN is assisted by the Advisory Group on Nutrition (AGN), with six to eight experienced individuals drawn from relevant disciplines and with wide geographical representation. The Secretariat is hosted by FAO in Rome.

The SCN undertakes a range of activities to meet its mandate. Annual meetings have representation from the concerned UN agencies, from some 10 to 20 donor agencies, the AGN, as well as invitees on specific topics; these meetings begin with symposia on topics of current importance for policy. The SCN brings certain such matters to the attention of the ACC. The SCN sponsors working groups on inter-sectoral and sector-specific topics. Ten-year programmes to address two major deficiencies, vitamin A and iodine, have been launched.

The SCN compiles and disseminates information on nutrition, reflecting the shared views of the agencies concerned. A regular Report on the World Nutrition Situation is being issued. State-of-the-Art papers are produced to summarize current knowledge on selected topics. Research priorities for solving nutrition problems are proposed in consultation with agencies and researchers in the field. As decided by the Sub-Committee, initiatives are taken to promote coordinated activities - inter-agency programmes, meetings, publications - aimed at reducing malnutrition, primarily in developing countries.