National Workshop on Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Commitments

Your Excellency Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, 

Honourable, Mr. Joel Maria Pereira, Executive Director of the Stunting Eradication Unit (UNMICS) and representatives of the Government, 

Your Excellency Marc Fiedrich, EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste, 

Specials guests,

Ladies and gentlemen, 

This gathering marks an important milestone in Timor-Leste’s journey towards achieving its nutrition goals and preparing for the 2025 N4G Summit. It is also an opportunity to reflect and assess the progress made since 2021, identify gaps, and reaffirm our commitment to sustainable nutrition for all. 

Timor-Leste has faced significant challenges in ensuring food security and adequate nutrition for all. Currently, 36% of the population experiences moderate to severe food insecurity, and nearly half of the children under the age of five over -47% are stunted. Wasting affects 8.6% of children, while anaemia impacts 23% of women of reproductive age. 

These challenges are further exacerbated by intensifying climate shocks, which disrupt food production, livelihoods, and access to nutritious diets, particularly for the most vulnerable. 

Yet, we must also recognise the remarkable progress that has been made. Over the past decade, there has been a notable reduction in anaemia rates among women of reproductive age, dropping nearly 20 percentage points. The Government has steadily increased the dedicated budget for school meals, ensuring the sustainability of the national school feeding program for two decades. The introduction of fortified rice in social safety nets and school meals has further strengthened efforts to combat micronutrient deficiencies, improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This progress reflects the strong joint commitment of the Government, United Nations System, civil society, private sector, and development partners in making nutrition a cornerstone of national development. 

The United Nations System in Timor-Leste remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the country’s nutrition and food security needs. We are working closely with the Government, stakeholders, and communities to ensure that policies, strategies, and interventions are evidence-based, sustainable, and inclusive. The role of women as active agents of change in terms of household nutrition is paramount, reflecting UN’s commitment to leaving no one behind. 

One of the most significant steps forward in recent years has been the strengthening of the policy and advocacy environment. Reduction of stunting is recognised as one of the most pressing challenges. 

The visit of the SUN Coordinator in December 2022 accelerated further actions, leading to key policy advancements. These include the approval of a decree on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, allocating $10 million to the Ministry of Health for nutrition-specific interventions, and establishing a national directorate of nutrition. 

The Consolidated National Action Plan for Nutrition and Food Security, supported by UN agencies and its stakeholders, has provided a comprehensive multisectoral roadmap, setting clear targets and objectives. The National Health Sector Nutrition Strategic Plan, launched in 2023, has further refined the approach, ensuring that essential nutrition-specific interventions are implemented and scaled effectively. 

The support provided also includes the establishment of SUN Networks, including UN-Nutrition, the SUN Civil Society Network, and the SUN Donor Network, promoting better coordination and resource mobilisation. Likewise, the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty and the Inter-ministerial Taskforce for Social Affairs, both having nutrition and food security as one of their core objectives. 

Strengthening national and subnational capacities remains a fundamental priority. Through technical assistance, training programmes, and peer-to-peer learning initiatives, the UN agencies have supported health professionals and community leaders with the expertise needed to foster change.

Effective governance and accountability are essential to the success of nutrition initiatives. The Government’s decision to establish a stunting unit within the Office of the Prime Minister represents a major achievement for better coordination and resource positioning. The UN agencies have also actively supported these efforts. In this context, I would like also highlight Timor-Leste’s participation in the SUN Mutual Accountability Framework pilot initiative as an important step in strengthening transparency. In the same line, the recent national budget workshop, where stakeholder provided feedback on nutrition allocations, is evidence of the Government’s commitment to a participative governance. 

Ensuring food stability is not just a moral imperative, but a necessary step towards creating a more just and sustainable society. It is a challenge that requires collaboration, innovation, and commitment. By working together, we can ensure that no one goes to bed hungry in Timor-Leste.

Let me finalise, recalling that “The fight against hunger is the fight for human dignity and freedom”.

Obrigada barak.