The PAU bi-monthly technical meeting organized on 9 July 2025, under the chairmanship of Mr. Ousavanh Thiengthepvongsa, Director General of Socio-Economic Policy Research Institute (SPRI), LASES. The members of Policy Analysis Unit (PAU) from respective departments, representative from Data analysis Unit and UNICEF were participated. The NIPN team from six Provincial Planning and Investment participated online. There were approximately 40 in person and online participants in total.
The event was facilitated by Socio-Economic Policy Research Institute (SPRI) under Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES), as well as the NIPN PAU and DAU teams, and UNICEF.
The following topics were presented in the event:
• Ms. Channaly Chanphathong, Acting Head of Division, SPRI, LASES presented the key achievement of PAU activities carried out in Q2 2025 such as capacity building, data & evidence generation, dissemination for provincial assemblies in northern region and the development of NIPN sustainability plan, as well as the lessons learnt and priority for Q3 2025.
• Mr. Khamnang Khounpakdee, Deputy Head of Division, SPRI, LASES shared the reflection of the NIPN results provincial dissemination for north region. He emphasized on the Summary of key nutrition issues and policy recommendations by province, identify the provincial action plans based on the provincial key nutrition issues and policy recommendations, role of Provincial Assembly re action points as well as feedback and recommendations from the event.
• Mr. Badar Uzaman, Policy Analysis Advisor, UNICEF presented the draft NIPN Sustainability Plan. He emphasized on four proposed sustainability models namely: Government Sustained Model, NIPN Mainstreaming Model, Phased Co-financed Hybrid Model and NIPN Extended Model; the five key pillars of NIPN Sustainability Framework, including milestones and proposed plan of action, and Proposed Sustainable Model for NIPN Website Sustainability.
• Mr. Phouthachanh Tonpheng, Head of Division, MoF, DAU updated on research and research formulation, and Provincial Nutrition Dashboard Development. He emphasized on key achievements of DAU activities carried out in Q2 2025 such as NIPN homepage & dashboard consultations, intensive training on research paper and dissemination for provincial assemblies in northern region; way forward for Q3 2025.
• Sub-national plan and planned capacity building including ToT by Ms. Soulita Vansilalom, UNICEF. She updated on NIPN sub-national in the last two months, challenges and lessons learned and provincial work plan for 2025. Two northern provinces completed their workplans, while the central and southern provinces should complete by end of July 2025.
The presentations were followed by discussion. Generally, it was agreed with the presentations and finally, the Chair summarized the discussions as under:
• DAU and PAU teams to revise the activity plan for Q3 for both national and sub-national levels, including training materials and plan.
• Continue to plan for NIPN dissemination for the Provincial Assemblies in southern region.
• Find possible approach to ensure that NIPN can be maintained and sustained in collaboration with international organization.
• PAU prepare the NIPN Sustainability Plan document (soft and hard copy) to be circulated to all stakeholders for their inputs prior to the validation workshop to be held by the end of July 2025.
• It is recommended that all provinces continue to complete their action plans
• The online system should be further strengthened.
• Propose to include provincial issues in the NIPN sustainability plan.
Thank all participants for their dedicated time and efforts, and to EU and UNICEF for their support.
