Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
1
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The world is off target to achieve SDG2 and shows signs of waning in its resolve. An urgent and concerted effort at local, national and international levels is required to not only tackle the effects of poor nutrition and food insecurity, but also the underlying causes. All activities need to …
Government response. The government partially agreed, stating the FCDO annually reports on nutrition-related spend and will publish the 2024 Commercial Agricultural Portfolio Review by June. It committed to ensuring future programmes consider gender equality, strengthen nutrition objectives, and uphold a 'do no …
2
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Climate change and hunger are intrinsically linked. We recognise the emphasis the Government is putting on improving the impact of climate finance as it relates to food systems. (Conclusion, Paragraph 15)
Government response. The government agreed with the conclusion, affirming its commitment to tackling gender inequality and empowering women and girls, which it integrates into its food and nutrition investments. It highlighted existing gender-focused efforts and analysis through the Nutrition Accountability Report.
3
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
We recommend the Government conduct an assessment of UK climate finance to ensure it addresses the impact of climate change on nutrition and food systems. The UK’s agricultural investments need to be assessed more rigorously for the adaption and mitigation challenges posed by climate change. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16)
Government response. The government partially agreed, stating that smallholder farmers are central to UK ODA policy and programming, and that it already has social and environmental safeguarding frameworks in place to assess and mitigate negative consequences. It did not commit to conducting …
10
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Conflict breeds hunger and hunger breeds conflict. We recommend that stabilisation and peace building at both the programme and diplomatic level is made a priority for the Government as it seeks to end hunger by
Government response. The government partially agreed, affirming commitment to stabilisation and peacebuilding, noting they are already proactively addressing conflict-induced hunger through diplomatic efforts, UN Security Council actions, a legal handbook, bilateral programs, and a £5 million contribution to the UN Peacebuilding Fund …
14
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Where cuts are to be made as part of this spending review, we request the Government informs the Committee of the steps it will take to ensure that there will be a phased transition with clear communication to implementing partners, avoiding some of the damage that was done when budgets …
Government response. The government agrees and commits to early dialogue with partners, regular strategic engagement, and ensuring responsible exits from agreements to manage budget changes. It also commits to keeping the Committee and partners closely and regularly updated on ODA budget implementation.
16
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Ensuring the FCDO attracts and retains the highest level of expertise is key for maintaining value for money and delivering effective programming. The Government needs to be ready to invest in both existing and new expertise. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55) Localisation
Government response. The government agrees and commits to recruiting new Food and Agriculture advisory expertise, implementing a new annual Strategic Oversight Board for capability, and strengthening nutrition capacity through internal and external learning and development.
21
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government should attend the Financing for Development conference in June with new and innovative solutions for the raising of private investment toward addressing malnutrition and building sustainable food systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 68)
Government response. The government will use the Financing for Development Conference to push for global financial system reform and is working to catalyse private investment through contributing to the new FASA Fund and funding a £20m local currency pilot through GAFSP.
22
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government should lead action on debt relief for countries affected by hunger and malnutrition including exploring the potential of debt suspension clauses for low-income countries at high risk of backsliding on food security and nutrition. (Recommendation, Paragraph 69)
Government response. The government commits to tackling unsustainable debt and states it was the first bilateral creditor to systematically offer Natural Disaster Clauses (a form of debt suspension clause) through UK Export Finance lending, directly addressing part of the recommendation.
27
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
We support the Government’s commitment to strengthening the evidence base for the prevention of child wasting. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
Government response. The government highlights its co-founding of the Child Nutrition Fund and ongoing investments through the Child Wasting and Innovation Programme, which has supported the generation of evidence around cost-effective formulations of RUTF.
35
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government needs to re-double its efforts to reform the financial systems which precipitate the strangling unsustainable debt faced by many food-insecure countries. The Government should state clearly what it intends to do regarding the reform of financial systems that stifle investment in low-income countries. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)
Government response. The government agrees to re-double efforts for financial system reform, committing to lead G7 institutional reform, push MDBs on the G20’s Capital Adequacy Framework, offer guarantees for over $6bn in MDB finance, and champion bolder systems for fragile states.
37
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government should review the staffing complement and structure working on SDG2 across departments, and the anticipated need in coming years, hiring new staff where needed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 90) 57
Government response. The government agrees to review staffing, planning to recruit new Food and Agriculture advisory expertise in 2025/2026, implement a new annual Strategic Oversight Board, and strengthen FCDO’s nutrition capacity through learning and development.