G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting Communiqué (London, 5 May 2021) Share
I. Preamble
1. We, the Foreign and Development Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7), and the High Representative of the European Union, are meeting today at a critical juncture for our people, our planet, our security and our future prosperity. Democracy is under pressure globally; the pandemic continues to pose acute global challenges; new technological threats are mounting; and the catastrophic effects of climate change are increasing. We commit to strengthening open societies, shared values, and the rules-based international order. We affirm that free and fair trade, and the free and secure flow of capital, data, knowledge, ideas and talent is essential to our long-term prosperity. We affirm that liberal democracy and free and fair markets remain the best models for inclusive, sustainable social and economic advancement. We commit to tackling threats jointly and committing our resources to a
Baby WASH: Supporting nutrition outcomes with water, sanitation and hygiene
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An approach known as ‘Baby WASH’ aims to address frequently overlooked environmental and personal hygiene risks by encouraging food hygiene, clean play spaces, control of animal feces, and child handwashing.
Poor nutrition and frequent infections among children can cause stunting, or impaired growth and development. Stunting limits children both physically and mentally and continues to affect their health and productivity well into adulthood. Lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), neglect, food insecurity, and feeding of low quantity, quality and diversity can magnify the effects of stunting. In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, stunting affects around 40% of children under the age of five
Big challenge ahead CAI MENG/CHINA DAILY
Obesity has become a serious public health problem globally, not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries, not only among adults, but also among children.
In 2015, about 107.7 million children and 603.7 million adults were obese worldwide. Among the 20 countries with large populations, the highest prevalence rate of adult obesity was 35.3 percent in Egypt, and lowest was 1.6 percent in Vietnam. The highest prevalence rate of obesity in children appears in the United States with 12.7 percent and the lowest in Bangladesh, 1.2 percent. Although the obesity rate is currently smaller in developing countries, if no effective interventions are taken, the obesity rates in developing countries will soon catch up with or even overtake the obesity rates in developed countries.