Mozambique commits to further advance multisectoral action on nutrition
Mozambique has reduced stunting among children under five from 43 per cent in 2011 to 37 per cent in 2022, equivalent to a 14 per cent relative reduction.
Maputo, Mozambique - Mozambique reinforced its commitment to tackling malnutrition through stronger coordination, partnership and accountability at the country’s first National Nutrition Conference, held in Maputo on 14 and 15 September.
Opened by President Daniel Chapo, the conference brought together more than 300 participants from across the country, including government leaders, civil society, academia, the private sector, United Nations agencies and development partners. Participants shared progress and experiences in food security and nutrition, while emphasising that improving nutrition requires action across multiple sectors.
President Chapo highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts across food, health, water and sanitation, education and social protection, greater convergence of interventions at community level, and stronger accountability. The conference concluded with a Declaration of Commitments focused on equitable access to safe and nutritious food, stronger multisectoral collaboration, evidence-based action, increased resource mobilisation and faster implementation of national nutrition priorities.
UNICEF Representative Mary Louise Eagleton participated alongside Resident Coordinator Catherine Sozi, FAO Representative José Luis Fernández and European Union representative Ylenia Rosso. UNICEF colleagues Julia Nhacule and Lara C. Machuama also contributed to discussions, highlighting the first 1,000 days of life as a critical window for preventing malnutrition and supporting early childhood development, as well as the importance of strong information systems to track progress and inform decision-making.
The conference was supported through the NutriNorte partnership with the European Union, which contributes to efforts to improve nutrition outcomes in Mozambique.
The event followed another opportunity to highlight Mozambique’s nutrition efforts internationally. On 2 September, Carina Ismael, National Coordinator of the SUN Civil Society Platform in Mozambique, joined a Scaling Up Nutrition session during UNICEF’s Executive Board meeting. She highlighted the importance of political commitment, nutrition financing, multisectoral action and collaboration, sharing Mozambique’s experience that “convergence works”.
Mozambique has reduced stunting among children under five from 43 per cent in 2011 to 37 per cent in 2022, equivalent to a 14 per cent relative reduction. The country is working towards reducing stunting to below 30 per cent by 2030.
