Vientiane: This year, the 10th National Nutrition Forum in The Lao PDR gathered key government and international stakeholders to discuss critical actions needed to improve maternal and child nutrition in The Lao PDR. With the theme ‘Financing Nutrition and Accelerating Data-Driven Actions,’ this year’s forum focused especially on the importance of increased investments and collaboration to tackle malnutrition in the country.
According to Lao News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, who is also Chairman of the National Nutrition Committee, emphasized the need to build on past progress and recommit to ensuring every woman and child in The Lao PDR has access to good nutrition. He expressed gratitude to all partners for their ongoing support in addressing malnutrition in the nation.
Organised annually by the Lao PDR’s National Nutrition Committee with inputs from the Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Vice Ministers and Vice Governors, and joined by partners such as the European Union, World Bank, Asia Development Bank, SUN CSA, UNICEF, CEAR, RDAR, World Food Programme and representatives from civil society organizations, academia and the private sector, the forum provided a platform to jointly review the progress made around nutrition in the Lao PDR throughout the past year and priorities for 2025.
Mr. Bilal Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative to the Lao PDR and Co-chair of the Development Partners in Nutrition Group, highlighted the importance of strategic investments and sustained funding to ensure adequate nutrition for every child, particularly in the first 1,000 days. He stressed the need for renewed commitment and coordination to efficiently allocate resources to tackle malnutrition.
A key topic of discussion was the national commitments on nutrition made at last year’s Human Capital Summit. These include identifying impactful interventions to address malnutrition, improving coordination between sectors, and using data to inform the design and assessment of nutrition interventions. The discussion also focused on systems for tagging and tracking nutrition budgets for better financing.
Mr. Alexander Kremer, World Bank Country Manager to the Lao PDR and Co-chair of the Development Partners in Nutrition Group, emphasized the essential nature of adequate nutrition for a child’s growth, intelligence, and future earnings. He noted the challenges Laos faces with high rates of childhood malnutrition and the need for more trained health workers, targeted cash transfers, and investment in clean water. While the World Bank and other partners will continue to support the Lao government, Kremer highlighted the urgent need for increased government financing to bridge the gaps.
The 10th National Nutrition Forum concluded with commitments from various stakeholders to further integrate nutrition into their work, outlining priority actions for 2025 and setting the stage for a new phase of investments and expanded action to improve nutrition throughout the country.