The Joint PAU–DAU Research Question Formulation Workshop for the 2025 National Information Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN) Research Topics was held on 31 October 2025 at the Amari Hotel, chaired by Mr. Ousavanh Thiengthepvongsa, Director General of the Socio-Economic Policy Research Institute (SPRI), Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES).

The workshop brought together 32 participants, including representatives from the Policy Analysis Unit (PAU), Data Analysis Unit (DAU), and line ministries such as Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) as well as UNICEF and development partners (WFP, Save the Children, Plan International, SNV, WVI-Laos, Lao-LUX Development, and CARE International). The event was organized by SPRI, LASES, in collaboration with NIPN PAU, DAU, and UNICEF.

 

 

 

In his opening remarks, the Chair underscored the importance of NIPN in strengthening research and evidence generation to inform policy and planning. He highlighted the need to conduct research that identifies gaps and generates actionable policy recommendations to address malnutrition in Lao PDR.

The workshop included presentations on:

• Nutrition status based on findings from the Lao Social Indicator Survey (LSIS III);
• Key findings from the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Policy Landscape Analysis;
• Approaches to formulating research questions; and
• Proposed research topics for PAU and DAU.

Participants then engaged in group work to formulate additional research questions. The results of these group discussions will be consolidated and finalized by the NIPN team.

In closing, the Chair emphasized that all research topics proposed during the workshop are highly relevant and should be prioritized for implementation during 2025–2026 in collaboration with national and development partners.