LONDON, December 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Network to enable businesses to advocate for SUN priorities globally

Business leaders from some of the world's biggest companies gathered with leaders from government, the United Nations and civil society in London last night to announce a new approach to harnessing business support to the fight against maternal and child undernutrition. The event marked the launch of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Business Network. The SUN Movement is a new and unique global effort that unites people - governments, civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers - in a collective effort to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms. The Business Network will enable businesses to align with the priorities of national governments as they increase their investments in nutrition.

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The network will facilitate business engagement in the SUN Movement, link business to other stakeholders and provide a public record of company commitments and activities to scale up nutrition interventions in the Movement's 33 member countries. SUN Business Network members will act as ambassadors of nutrition by working to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors through the sharing of expertise.

"As momentum increases in the fight against malnutrition on the global development agenda, businesses are called upon more and more to help deliver sustainable, affordable and nutritious solutions to the people who need them most," said Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director, GAIN. "The SUN Business Network will provide business leaders with greater opportunities to engage both with peers and with cross-sector stakeholders to drive greater collective impact."

"If we are serious about improving nutrition for vulnerable communities, we will have to work in partnership with the private sector," said WFP's Senior Nutrition Advisor, Martin Bloem. "WFP can give people the assistance they require to access the food they need, but we are looking to the private sector to help develop and implement national plans on nutrition, and to ensure that the right kinds of food products are available to meet nutritional needs."

In addition, the introduction of a new online global forum provides a live platform to help businesses share knowledge and best practices on sustainable models to improve nutrition worldwide.

The SUN Business Network is co-convened by GAIN and WFP on behalf of the SUN Lead Group, a body of 27 leaders from governments, civil society and business appointed by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

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World Food Programme and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Launch New Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network