UNICEF and Norges Bank Investment Management expand partnership for children’s food and nutrition
One year after, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten lives and essential services across the globe. Newly expanded partnership will encourage companies in the food retail sector to improve their impact on children’s nutrition
NEW YORK, 5 May 2021 – UNICEF and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) today announced an expansion of their partnership with a new initiative that will leverage the voice and influence of investors to ensure that food and beverage sector policies and practices respect children’s right to adequate nutrition.
Since 2017, UNICEF and NBIM – which manages the assets of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global – have been engaging with leading garment and footwear brands to encourage stronger business respect for children’s rights. The latest report released today concludes the work and offers a compilation of business and industry examples on how companies can address children’s rights in responsible sourcing efforts. This report follows the publication of a guidance tool on children’s rights integration and a network summary report, both of which were released in 2020.
“For UNICEF, the partnership with NBIM is a unique and innovative example of a collaboration with one of the world’s largest investors to promote better business practices for children. We’re thrilled to announce this new initiative today, which we hope will lead to better industry practices for children in the food retail sector”, said Carla Haddad Madini, Director of UNICEF’s Division for Private Fundraising and Partnerships.
The expanded focus on children’s food and nutrition will follow a similar model to the garment and footwear network. It will convene a group of companies in the food retail sector to explore the international evidence and discuss how businesses can transform their policies and practices in measurable ways to have a positive impact on children’s diets.
“Children’s rights are a longstanding priority area for NBIM’s responsible investment work. The rise in unhealthy diets and obesity around the world represents a new and growing challenge for children, families, society and business alike. Companies in the food retail sector can be exposed to financial and sustainability risks related to a changing food regulatory environment, public calls to take action and potential shifts in consumer demand. This makes children’s rights to nutrition and health an important next topic for the fund in its continued collaboration with UNICEF.” - NBIM, Chief Governance and Compliance Officer Carine Smith Ihenacho.
Over the next two years, the network will hold four workshops with select companies with the aim of facilitating peer learnings, developing guidance and disseminating innovative examples of improved business practices that respect and promote children’s right to nutrition and health.
Addressing Children’s Rights in the Garment and Footwear Supply Chain
report is available here
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sohini Roychowdhury, Communication Specialist
UNICEF
Tel: +41 79433 5264
sroychowdhury@unicef.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s organization, working in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, they work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
