Please find all conference presentations at the bottom of this post.
Thanks to the 109 people from 42 organisations and stakeholders who joined our conference on “Climate Change and Nutrition in Lao PDR: Intersections and Interventions”!
On 19 August 2024, Vientiane Capital, Laos, was the focal point of a pivotal gathering aimed at bridging the gap between climate change and nutrition. The “Climate Change and Nutrition in Lao PDR: Intersections and Interventions Conference” brought together 109 experts and development practitioners from 42 organisations, agencies and ministries, representing various sectors, both in person and online, to explore and address these critical issues.
Hosted by the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance (SUN CSA) in Laos, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and their USAID-funded Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building project (ANRCB), the conference served as a dynamic platform for discussion and collaboration. Participants included representatives from the Lao government, academic institutions, civil society organizations, international donors and development agencies.
Dr. Viengkhan Phixay, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Hygiene & Health Promotion opened the conference, stating “Today, we gather to address a critical and interwoven issue: the impact of climate change on nutrition and how we can work together to tackle these challenges. The government of Laos is actively engaged in this endeavor, with numerous policies and initiatives aimed at addressing both climate change and nutrition. Various Ministries—including Health, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, and Education—are spearheading these efforts. By leveraging the Scaling Up Nutrition network in Laos, which is led by the government, and supported by civil society, donors, and the UN, we have a robust platform to tackle the negative impacts of climate change while improving nutrition and overall health for everyone in Lao PDR.”
Anthony Glanville, Senior Women’s Health & RMNCH Advisor at CARE International in Laos and Co-Chair of SUN CSA Laos, remarked, “This conference has significantly enhanced our understanding of the intricate relationship between climate change and nutrition in Lao PDR. It has also highlighted targeted interventions that can effectively address these challenges.”
Kelley Khamphouxay, ANRCB Program Manager at Catholic Relief Services, praised the event’s impact: “The presentations today showcased the vital connections between climate change and nutrition. From health impacts to water access and environmental considerations, the tools and strategies discussed are making a tangible difference in Laos. Networks like SUN CSA are crucial for amplifying these impacts across the country.”
The conference featured a series of presentations that not only detailed evidence-based research but also introduced innovative tools for measuring and enhancing the impacts of nutrition on climate change. Notably, the Alive and Thrive project, implemented by FHI360, presented their “Green Feeding Tool” (https://greenfeedingtool.org), designed to quantify the reduction in climate change impacts associated with increased breastfeeding rates. Alive & Thrive also showcased the “Cost of Not Breastfeeding” tool, which reveals significant economic losses when breastfeeding is not supported. According to this tool, increasing national breastfeeding rates to 60% could save 196 lives annually and boost Laos’ GDP by approximately USD $50 million.
The conference was a resounding success, underscoring the critical need for integrated approaches to tackle the intertwined challenges of climate change and nutrition, and setting the stage for impactful future collaborations.
For more information, please visit www.suncsalaos.org.
Please find all the presentations from the Conference below:
