In brief
On National Nutrition Day, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet outlined a 2030 strategy to eliminate all forms of malnutrition, aiming to lower under‑five stunting to below 19% and wasting to below 6%. The speech highlighted progress in human capital while noting ongoing issues like anemia, obesity, and micronutrient gaps.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on National Nutrition Day that the country will aim to provide universal, safe, and nutritious food for all citizens by 2030. The announcement, made on the 13th National Nutrition Day, came from a televised address recorded in Phnom Pèn.
Hun Manet said that advances over the past twenty years in nutrition and human capital development were “remarkable” yet acknowledged persistent challenges. He cited stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, anemia, overweight, obesity, and related non‑communicable diseases as areas needing continued action.
To confront these issues, Cambodia has set explicit targets for the next decade: the under‑five stunting rate must be reduced to below 19 percent and the wasting rate to below 6 percent by 2030. Manet emphasized that such goals would be achieved through strong commitment and cross‑sectoral collaboration.
The prime minister underlined that food security and nutrition are vital for human capital, work efficiency, economic growth, and social progress. He called on all ministries and stakeholders to support these objectives and ensure that no one is left behind in the push toward an adequately nourished population.
Both the Prime Minister and Xinhua reported these developments in real time, with no conflicting accounts to date. The statement marks a significant policy milestone for Cambodia as it seeks to eliminate malnutrition and improve overall health outcomes by 2030.
