Pacific Island nations face unique and interconnected challenges to food and nutrition security, shaped by climate change, global trade dynamics, and rapidly transitioning food systems. Food production remains central to Pacific economies, with communities relying heavily on terrestrial and marine ecosystems for food and livelihoods(1). However, these systems are ecologically fragile and increasingly exposed to natural hazards and the broader impacts of climate change. Population growth, urbanization, and out-migration are reshaping agricultural labour markets, while high transportation costs and logistical constraints can further limit trade and food distribution within and between islands(1,2). In Pacific communities, traditional sharing networks and subsistence practices mean that food insecurity is likely to be less pronounced than in other regions. Yet nutrition security remains a pressing concern. As imported ultra-processed foods become more available and affordable, consumption of these high-energy, nutrient-poor items can displace nutritious, locally produced foods, undermining diet quality and health. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of representative, current data to drive policy(1,2). Data for indicators, for example prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) (SDG 2.1.1), prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) (SDG 2.1.2), stunting and wasting are limited in coverage and currentness. Moreover, limited evidence on actual consumption patterns and dietary behaviours constrains our understanding of nutrition security and its underlying determinants in the region. Encouragingly, many local and regional efforts, for example, community-based farming, home gardens, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern practices are already underway to strengthen nutrition-sensitive agriculture, local value chains, and climate-resilient food production. This symposium will provide an overview of key statistics, data gaps, and opportunities as related to food and nutrition security.
(1)FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO & SPC. 2024. An overview of food security and nutrition in the Pacific 2022. Apia. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6879en
(2)Davila, F., Burkhart, S., O’Connell, T. (2024). State of Food and Nutrition Security in the Pacific. In: Dansie, A., Alleway, H.K., Böer, B. (eds) The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific. Water Security in a New World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25463-5_4