The UNSCN is mandated to promote cooperation among UN agencies and partner organ

izations in support of community, national, regional, and international efforts

to end hunger and malnutrition in all forms in this generation. The UNSCN struct
ures and functions exist to support the overall effort, to do what no single age
ncy, acting alone, can do.
The UNSCN is governed by a Chair and an Executive Committee. Ramiro Lopes da Sil
va (Deputy Executive Director of WFP) is the eleventh Chair since the SCN was es
tablished in 1977. He chairs the Executive Committee which includes key nutritio
n actors in the UN agencies.
Through thematic Working Groups, participants take an active role in the work of
the UNSCN, promoting the successful implementation of programmes, sharing advoc
acy and review tasks in the substantive areas deemed of greatest importance by t
he collective UNSCN body.
In 2006, the Steering Committee established three Task Forces that address cross
-cutting areas such as advocacy and monitoring.
The Secretariat is hosted by WHO in Geneva, headed by the UNSCN Executive Secret
ary and staffed by two Technical Officers and one administrative position. It ca
rries out tasks assigned by the UNSCN, supports the Chair in executing his or he
r executive functions, facilitates the work of the Executive Committee, and acts
dynamically to strengthen networking and ensure follow-up.
The UNSCN acknowledges the private commercial sector, and especially the food an
d drink and associated industries, as important actors engaged in nutrition rela
ted activities. The UNSCN has developed guidelines for interacting with the priv
ate sector, especially those industries with commercial interest in the nutritio
nal nature and quality of food and drink, with the intention among other issues
of being open and clear about potential conflicts of interest, and ensuring that
these aspects are adequately managed. Read more about the UNSCN and interaction
with the Private Sector.