May 2005 Network E-Bulletin
ICCIDD Annual BOARD Meeting, April 23-24, 2005
The Board of Directors of the ICCIDD met in Cape Town on April 23-24, 2005 . Nune Mangasaryan and Sherine Guirguis of the UNICEF and Julia Untoro , the IDD Network Secretary, attended the meeting. Other Network Members also presented in the meeting including J Ling (ICCIDD), G Burrow (ICCIDD), V Mannar (MI), R Hanneman (Salt Institute) and Z Dong (China Salt). Nune conveyed the Network statement on behalf of Rainer Gross (the Network Chair, UNICEF) and Julia gave a brief presentation about the Network's strategic framework including priority countries and region.
The members of the ICCIDD were appreciative of the Network support statement. However, there were concerns from the ICCIDD members that Australia is on the list of the Network priority countries. Dr. Eastman of the ICCIDD regional coordinator suggested that there is a national steering committee in Australia that is currently addressing the issue and support from the Network might not be necessary.
Nune noted discrepancies between IDD/USI data reported by ICCIDD regional coordinators and those of UNICEF. Regional Coordinators were requested to send their data to UNICEF.
The ICCIDD Board announced the appointment of Mr. David Haxton as the new ICCIDD Executive Director. Mr Haxton is a former Regional Director of UNICEF; Board Member of ICCIDD; Adviser to the Micronutrient Initiative; Former Secretary General of Junior Chamber International and Former Production Planner for Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
ICCIDD/MI/UNICEF REGIONAL MEETING, April 25-26, 2005 .
The meeting was arranged back to back with the ICCIDD Board meeting in Cape Town . The purpose of the meeting was to share experiences and learn lessons for accelerating progress towards sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency in Eastern and Southern Africa and specifically:
• To review some key successful experiences and lessons learned among selected countries with a focus on some critical programmatic aspects of IDD elimination:
• Lessons learned from successful legislation and regulatory procedures ( Kenya )
• Lessons learned from attempts to improve productive capacity and marketing opportunities for small producers ( Tanzania )
• Lessons learned on when significant levels of market reach are sustained ( Rwanda )
• To identify and share critical bottlenecks , and draw lessons learned from countries where achievements is stalled ( South Africa , Angola , Malawi , Ethiopia )
• To draw lessons learned regarding the need for national committee oversight and management and political commitment ( South Africa , and Kenya )
• To review UNICEF ESAR and participating country work plans for 2005 and 2006
• To enhance coordination among key agencies involved in universal salt iodization and IDD elimination program in ESAR - UNICEF, ICCIDD and MI.
The meeting was attended by government officials from 10 countries in South and Eastern Africa , a representative from salt producer, UNICEF country program and HQ officers, MI regional and HQ staff, ICCIDD members and IDD Network Secretary. The participants of the meeting generally found that the meeting was useful for the country program. The outcomes of the meeting were compilation of the success stories from countries and areas that need strengthening, proposed country action plans for 2005-6 and a regional coordinated plan for technical support to countries from ICCIDD , MI and UNICEF. A Report of the meeting is under preparation and will be available by end of May 2005.
MI: USI ASSESSMENT IN AFRICA , April 28-29, 2005
The Micronutrient Initiative conducted USI situational assessments in 8 salt producing countries i.e. Senegal , Ghana , Ethiopia , Kenya , Mozambique , South Africa , Namibia and Botswana . The meeting was held at the MI Africa Regional Office in Johannesburg and attended by MI regional and HQ team, MI (salt) consultants and IDD Network Secretary.
The participants identified and grouped key issues from the assessment missions as following:
Government: Political Commitment, Partnership and Policy actions
- Partnership
- Political Commitment
- Standard Iodine Level across regions
- Cross border trade/Harmonization
- Legislation and enforcement
- Advocacy
Government and Consumer
- Monitoring
- Reliable Process Indicators
Consumer: Demand Creation
- Social Marketing
- Commercial marketing
Producer: Iodization Production Capacity and Location
- Technology
- KIO3 supply
- Distribution
- Producer program
The meeting summarized "7 Things To Do Where USI Achievement is Stalled"
• Monitor/Assess status in terms of Iodine status and salt iodine levels
• Identify constraints/bottlenecks
• Highlight problem/reinforce high-level commitment/regulation/ enforcement. Plug leakages/ diversion of non-edible salt
• Salt producers/importers to take ownership/strengthen associations
• Ensure adequate financial and human resources to manage and monitor the program. Feedback for corrective action
• Implement a strong advocacy and communications plan to create both a demand pull and supply push
• Use regional mechanisms and networks to advocate/support/monitor/sustain USI
The meeting suggested that the Network would need to review and revise iodization standards at production and consumption level. Next steps of the meeting are preparation of the Country Action Plans and Road Map for USI in Africa . The plans will be ready by end of July and will be shared with the Network Members.
UN PLANS 2005 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL SUMMIT , September 14-16, 2005 .
The UN General Assembly plans for a 14-16 September 2005 Summit on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The General Assembly agreed upon a set of proposals presented by the UN Secretary General for the high-level mid-term summit, to be held in New York City .
We also understand that there will be a session of the International Business Forum focusing on "Business and MDGs" on September 11-13, 2005 . The Network Secretary is investigating the possibility of the Network being invited to attend the Forum and to make a presentation on the role of the "Public-Private Partnership to achieve USI".
As the Network plans to have its next Board Meeting back to back with the MDG Summit, the possible dates will be September 9-10, 2005 .
The Network Network E-Bulletin is prepared by the Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency and posted on its website, www.iodinepartnership.org . If you have any information to share or queries please contact Dr. Juliawati Untoro , IDD Network Secretary at info@iodinenetwork.net
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