H.E. Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Ambassador of Thailand to the Lao PDR, and H.E. Mrs. Phasouk Vongvichit, Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, presided over the opening ceremony of a “Train the Trainers” programme to strengthen maternal and child nutrition capacity among the Lao Women’s Union network during 3 - 7 August 2026, which the Royal Thai Embassy had organised, in cooperation with the Lao Women’s Union.  The programme was supported by maternal and child nutrition experts from the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, with financial support from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), aiming to create a sustainable reduction of malnutrition in the Lao PDR, with a particular focus on addressing wasting and stunting, preventing early marriage, and promoting appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. Additionally, Mr. Bilal Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative to the Lao PDR, together with UNICEF specialists, provided an overview of the maternal and child nutrition situation in the Lao PDR and highlighted the critical importance of nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.

The training was delivered by a team of experts from the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, comprising Professor Emeritus Dr. Kraisid Tontisirin, Senior Advisor to the Institute of Nutrition; Dr. Sueppong Gowachiraphat, Head of the Community Nutrition Unit; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattapol Tangsuphoom; Asst. Prof. Dr. Tippawan Pongcharoen; Dr. Aree Prachansuwan; and other members of the Institute’s research team.

The program combined lectures and practical sessions covering a wide range of topics, including: (1) maternal and child nutrition and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), (2) Thailand’s experience in maternal and child nutrition improvement programmes, (3) nutrition for women of reproductive age, including preconception nutrition, (4) an overview of the first 1,000 days of life, (5) nutrition during pregnancy, and (6) breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding (IYCF).

Participants included representatives from central and local institutions. Central-level participants included representatives from the Lao Women’s Union, the National Nutrition Centre, the Centre for Mother and Child Health, and the Health Information and Statistics Centre. Local participants included representatives of provincial and district Lao Women’s Union organisations, as well as provincial and district health officials. Local participants came from six provinces along the Thailand - Lao PDR border area: Xayabouly, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, Saravan, Champasak, and Vientiane Capital. The participants will play an important role in developing additional local trainers and disseminating accurate knowledge on maternal and child nutrition to women and youth in communities throughout the Lao PDR.

The programme supports the implementation of the Lao PDR National Nutrition Strategy 2026 - 2035 and contributes to Thailand - Lao PDR cooperation in human resource development and public health, in line with the strategic partnership for sustainable growth and development between Thailand and the Lao PDR. Moreover, it was part of Thailand’s support for the World Breastfeeding Week, an annual global campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding.