The National Nutrition Policy 2008-2020 (NNP) is the first official government policy for improving nutrition and battling alarmingly high malnutrition rates among children in the Lao PDR . The NNP was drafted by staff from the Ministry of Health with support from UN agencies (UNICEF, WHO and WFP) which were coordinated by FAO through the EC-FAO Food Security Programme.

The Round Table Meeting aimed at building consensus on the NNP. It was chaired by HE Dr. Bounkoung Phichit, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health, and co-chaired by Mr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The meeting started with opening remarks by the chair person and speec hes from distinguished guests. The FAO Representative delivered a speech on behalf of the UN Country Team, stressing the importance of reducing malnutrition as malnourished children cannot reach their full potential and fully contribute to the development of their country.

The speeches were followed by three presentations in Lao and English:

•  The Link between Nutrition and Economic Growth

•  Needs and Challenges: The Implementation of NNP

•  Presentation of the National Nutrition Policy

Representatives from key ministries then delivered a statement on the draft NNP.

The meeting was successful in ensuring consensus on the content of the NNP and there were only minor requests for amendments. There was also a consensus on the fact that nutrition should be more central to development. The Vice-minister of Planning and Investment mentioned the lack of focus on nutrition in the National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) as a priority to be addressed. More details on the results of the meeting are provided in the report.