On the occasion of the 13th National Nutrition Day, held on November 6, 2026 under the theme “Investing in Nutrition Is Investing in People,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed the importance of improving food security and nutrition in building human capital and promoting sustainable socioeconomic development. He said Cambodia had made significant progress over more than two decades: stunting among children under five had fallen from 50% to 22%, wasting from 17% to 9.6%, and underweight from 39% to 16%. However, the country still faces micronutrient deficiencies, anaemia, overweight, obesity and noncommunicable diseases, requiring further attention and intervention.
Hun Manet said the Royal Government during the seventh National Assembly legislature has made human capital development its highest priority through the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy and the expansion of healthcare services towards universal health coverage. The government has also set a goal for everyone to have access to adequate and safe nutrition by 2030, focusing on stronger food, health and social protection systems, clean water and sanitation, and social behaviour change. He outlined 16 recommendations, focusing on strengthening the roles of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, relevant ministries and institutions, and subnational administrations in implementing food security and nutrition policies. The recommendations cover sustainable agricultural production, food safety, health services, nutrition education in schools, clean water and sanitation, social protection programmes, environmental protection and climate resilience. In particular, he set targets to bring stunting among children under five below 19% and wasting below 6% by 2030.
Hun Manet called on all ministries, institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and citizens to continue cooperating and actively promoting nutrition in all settings. He stressed the responsibility of food producers, sellers and businesses to ensure food safety in line with the slogan “Eat clean, drink clean and live clean.” Parents and caregivers should provide nutritious food, practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, introduce diverse complementary foods and take children for regular health checks. Participation by all parties is seen as vital to reducing all forms of nutrition problems, improving public health and building quality human capital for Cambodia’s sustainable development and prosperity. By: Sopheak
