UAMH responded to the FCDO's call for evidence to inform the International Development White Paper on the Government's approach to international development to 2030.

Addressing questions posed by the paper, UAMH laid out how access to good nutrition is critical to meeting international development goals.

In summary: 

• Nutrition is foundational to development.

• Tackling malnutrition and hunger represents a best value intervention.

• The UK has unique expertise to contribute to the fight against malnutrition and hunger.

• Sustainable, equitable and climate resilient food systems are key to addressing global malnutrition and hunger.

• Innovative financial solutions can leverage additional resources to tackle hunger and malnutrition.

Nutrition is foundational to development. Access to good nutrition is foundational to the achievement of our wider development goals. It improves health and education outcomes, increases economic productivity, and allows individuals and communities to reach their full potential.

Tackling malnutrition and hunger represents a best value intervention. At a time of constrained finances, a concerted UK investment in global nutrition designed to mobilise match-funding, leverage funds from other donor governments and draw in innovative finance would represent a best value intervention and would increase the effectiveness of other development interventions.

The UK has unique expertise to contribute to the fight against malnutrition and hunger. The UK should establish a Centre of Expertise focussed on malnutrition and hunger to maximise the impact of UK experience and expertise on global nutrition. The UK should also appoint an FCDO Special Envoy for Malnutrition and Hunger to build a strong partnership approach with high burden countries and maximise the impact of funding.

Sustainable, equitable and climate resilient food systems key to addressing global malnutrition. The UK is a leader on research and innovative practice in food systems and next-generation agriculture. By prioritising malnutrition in its food and agricultural research and innovation agenda, the UK could identify and fast-track game-changing technologies and science, such as next-generation crops and innovations in livestock farming.

Innovative financial solutions can leverage additional resources to tackle hunger and malnutrition. The UK should also collaborate with partners to draw in additional resources for malnutrition and hunger, drawing on London's role as a major financial centre and its reputation as a global hub in innovative financing. We should continue to support reform of multilateral institutions to unlock funding for development.

The White Paper, International development in a contested world: ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change was published November 2023.