Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Aurel Chatterjee
Position Paper – 2026 Combating Malnutrition
Committee: UNICEF
Agenda: Combating Malnutrition
Delegation: Greece
Aurel Chatterjee
Farmington High School
Malnutrition–coming in a wide variety of issues, ranging from undernutrition to overweight and obesity–lead to problems that have widespread cumulative repercussions on society if not dealt with. Deficiencies in essential nutrient classes as well as the effects of a sedentary lifestyle can lead to impaired mental and physical implication that the nation of Greece does not take lightly. Based on the data of the 2024 Household Income and Living Conditions Survey, the population at risk of poverty/social exclusion amounts to 26.9% of Greece’s population–increased by 0.8% since 2023. Keeping the ever-growing number of vulnerable families that are at risk of food insecurity and poor diet in mind, Greece is in full agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations that focus on ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition while achieving food security and improved nutrition.
Over the past several years, Greece has put into action a series of systematic goals to address problems occurring related to food insecurity and malnutrition–namely, the quality of diet and expanded knowledge related to making smart dietary decisions.
According to research from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Greece has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Europe. Greece recognizes the importance of addressing malnutrition and has therefore implemented a ‘National Recovery and Resilience Plan,’ facilitated by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with UNICEF, aiming to reduce obesity rates among children aged 2–14 by over 10%. Additionally, the nation of Greece has responded in kind to the threat of food insecurity for low-income individuals that has plagued the world, especially in nations experiencing economic inequality. Low-income families are at a significantly increased risk of food insecurity due to rising prices for nutritious, fulfilling food.
In particular, Greece is proud to , reaffirming its belief that everyone should have access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food, consistent with the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger (HRC/52/L.24). By working to continue using the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition as a guide, Greece aims to protect the well-being of each and every one of its citizens, and the promotion and protection of all human rights across the globe. The delegation of Greece invites other nations to collaborate on future reforms concerning the expansion of public education services regarding making healthy consumption choices as well working with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to address future issues.
Works Cited:
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4092732?ln=en
https://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/042d41d4-d995-48e4-5bf3-50d7d320acef#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20data%20of,26.1%25)%20(Graph%201).
https://extranet.who.int/countryplanningcycles/sites/default/files/public_file_rep/GRC_Greece_National-Action-Plan-for-Public-Health_%202021-2025.pdf
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/zero-hunger
