The European Union (EU) has committed to spend €3.5 billion in the period 2014-2020 on improving nutrition in some of the world's poorest countries.

Speaking at the British Government's’ ‘Nutrition for Growth, Beating Hunger through Business and Science Event' , last 8th June in London, Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs announced that €400 million will be spenton boosting nutrition through specific nutrition interventions mainly through the health sector, whereasthe other €3.1 billion will be invested in making interventions in other areas such as agriculture, education, water and social protection do more to reduce undernutrition.

Commissioner Piebalgs' speeche during the forum from minutes 48:00 to 53:45 https://event.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1018225

Commissioner Piebalgs' closing speech at minute 27:00 https://event.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1018226

Announcing this unprecedented financial commitment, Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, said:

“It is painful to see such levels of child undernutrition when we know the solution to the problem. We have the necessary financial means to tackle it, what is lacking is the political will and determination”.

This financial pledge will contribute to attain the policy target announced last year by Commissioner Piebalgs, during the Hunger Conference in London, to support partner countries in reducing stunting (chronic undernutrition) in children under 5 by at least 7 million in 2025. This unprecedented commitment to attain a specific and measurable nutrition target within a given timeframe has positioned the Commission as a key player, inspiring others to follow its example.Shortly after this announcement the EU adopted a policy framework specifically designed to address undernutrition: the Communication “Enhancing Maternal and Child Nutrition in External Assistance”.