Cambodia makes a landmark multi-stakeholder and multi-sector Declaration on Nutrition

On the 3^rd March 2015, multiple stakeholders came together with the Government of Cambodia for a National Conference on Nutrition. The two day event organised by the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, USAID Cambodia, UNICEF Cambodia, FAO Cambodia, and WFP Cambodia brought together over 250 representatives from development partners, civil society and the private sector to declare that the elimination of malnutrition, in all its forms, is a goal for the Cambodian people. They recognised that nutrition plays a central role in health and the development of individuals, communities and the nation.

Participants endorsed a Declaration on Nutrition which acknowledges improvements made and the journey ahead. The National Food Security and Nutrition Strategy (2014 – 2018) highlighted in the declaration was launched by Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2014 and is at the core of all efforts.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development Yim Chhay Ly, expressed his appreciation for the works done to date and encouraged more works to address malnutrition issues in Cambodia, especially among children.

The Declaration on Nutrition shows the collective ambition of all stakeholders to reach the World Health Assembly Targets by 2025, affirm recommendations made as part of the Second International Conference on Nutrition and the continuation the celebration of a National Nutrition Day, every year on the 6^th of November as stated in a Government directive. Acknowledgement that the root causes of malnutrition are multi-dimensional is key to this declaration as engagement and action is needed by multiple ministries (including Planning; Industry and Handicrafts; Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries; Water Resources and Meteorology; Health; Rural Development; Environment; Information; Education Youth and Sports; Women’s Affairs; Commerce; Interior;  Economy and Finance), at sub-national levels and through effective dialogue with the private sector.

The Government of Cambodia has made huge strides in bringing multiple stakeholders together for nutrition in the past six months. Another key milestone for nutrition is an official letter sent by Secretary of State, Bun Uy, recognising the importance of strengthening coordination and collaboration across sectors. The letter directs the Council for the Agricultural and Rural Development, with relevant line ministries, to focus on key tasks including coordinated implementation of programs based on priorities laid out in the National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (2014 – 2018) and the development of a clear action plan to implement the strategy.

View the Declaration on Nutrition

View a message from Prime Minister on National Nutrition Day 2014 (Khmer, English)

View the letter from the Secretary of State (Khmer, English) to;

• Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development
• Senior Minister, Ministry of Planning
• Senior Minister, Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts
• Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
• Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology
• Minister of Health
• Minister of Rural Development
• Minister of Environment
• Minister of Education, Youth and Sports
• Minister of Information

Visit the Cambodian Government website on Food Security and Nutrition for resources from the event