Government of Timor-Leste

The Government, through the Mission Unit for Combating Stunting (delayed child growth due to chronic malnutrition) (UNMICS, portuguese acronym), in collaboration with C4N/GIZ, Nutrition International and other development partners, held a national workshop on February 24^th, 2025, at the JL World Hotel in Dili, to consult and validate the national commitment with the international Nutrition for Growth (N4G) initiative.The event brought together government representatives, local authorities, development partners, civil society and the private sector to discuss and define strategies aimed at strengthening maternal and child nutrition and food security in Timor-Leste. 

The Global Compact on Nutrition for Growth (N4G) is an international initiative that aims to mobilize political and financial commitments to combat malnutrition and improve nutrition globally. Launched in 2013, N4G brings together governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to strengthen actions that promote healthy diets, sustainable food systems and equitable access to nutrition. The initiative focuses on eradicating hunger, improving child development and strengthening health and food security systems. 

The Vice Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, highlighted in his speech at the opening of the event that Timor-Leste, as a member of the United Nations and a member of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, remains committed to reducing malnutrition and food insecurity through integrated approaches. “The Government has developed several policies to eliminate child malnutrition, including increasing dietary diversity to strengthen climate resilience and social protection. These efforts have been materialized through the National Health Sector Strategic Plan for Nutrition (2022-2026), the National Action Plan to Combat Stunting (2024-2030) and the Consolidated National Action Plan for Nutrition and Food Security (2020-2030), documents that guide the implementation of multisectoral interventions,” he said. 

To strengthen multisectoral coordination in the fight to combat stunting, the IX Constitutional Government extended the mission of UNMICS through Decree-Law 37/2024, ensuring an effective structure for coordinating policies and programs in this area. At the same time, the creation of the National Council for Food Security, Sovereignty and Nutrition in Timor-Leste (CONSSANTIL, portuguese acronym), under the direct supervision of the Office of the Vice-Prime Minister, strengthened the institutional mechanisms for the eradication of child malnutrition. The government has also strengthened the implementation of sectoral programs, such as the Ministry of Health's Integrated Health Program, the distribution of food in vulnerable areas and the provision of micronutrients for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. 

The workshop allowed participants to contribute to the review and validation of the country's strategic commitments in the N4G agenda, ensuring that these are aligned with national development priorities. Plenary discussions and technical sessions were held to ensure the viability and sustainability of the actions to be implemented. “To move forward, I call on all partners - government agencies, development partners, NGOs and the entire community - to work together to achieve this important goal. The investment we make now will be reflected in the quality of our future generations, ensuring that they are healthy, productive and resilient,” said Vice Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino.

The national commitment emerging from this workshop reflects the progress made by Timor-Leste since the Tokyo Summit in 2021 on Nutrition for Growth (N4G), and assesses the impact of the interventions carried out, identifying challenges and lessons learned.

The event was attended by the UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, the European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste and representatives of international organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, WFP, Nutrition International, FAO and the World Bank.