VIENTIANE, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nutrition remains a top priority for Laos because of its wide-reaching influence on the well-being, growth and development of children and the nation.
This was a message from the Eighth National Nutrition Forum, a flagship annual event in support of nutrition in Laos, held in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday.
The forum was led by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the National Nutrition Committee Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, and Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.
The forum was combined with the Annual National Nutrition Committee Meeting for 2022 to bring together government and development partners to assess the progress made in tackling malnutrition in Laos and nutrition priorities for 2023, according to a report issued by Center of Information and Education for Health on Wednesday.
Themed "Nutrition for Sustainable Development," this year's forum highlights the importance of nutrition in achieving both the government's targets for socio-economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals, Kikeo said.
"The forum is a crucial moment for us to take stock of our achievements in nutrition in 2022 and think ahead strategically about solutions to malnutrition in Laos for 2023 and beyond," he noted.
The forum was co-chaired by the Charge d'Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Laos Niall Leonard, and the United Nations Children's Fund Representative to Laos Pia Rebello Britto. ■