• Portugal was recognised by the United Nations owing to their policies to control and prevent obesity.

• Prize highlights the work by the Ministry of Health and the Directorate-General for Health with public health and promoting a healthy diet.

• Award was given at a ceremony on the side of the United Nations General Assembly.

Investing in public health and a healthy diet

Portugal was distinguished by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) with the 2025 Task Force Award by the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 

This year, the award goes out to countries and organisations who stood out in obesity prevention and control.

This award acknowledges Portugal’s commitment and the work carried out by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) towards public health, promoting a healthy diet and which at the same time signals the capacity to engage different sectors in society to transform eating environments, especially protecting children and supporting the entire population with making healthier diet choices.

This distinction highlight’s Portugal’s pioneering work over the last decade to prevent obesity, focusing especially on the creati9on of healthier eating environments.

Among the measures implemented, we note the adoption in 2019 of a pioneering law in Europe that restricts advertising of unhealthy foods for children, the introduction of a tax on beverages containing sugar, the definition of legislation for food offered in schools and other public institutions, and the national agreement for the reformulation of foodstuffs.

Portugal was likewise recognised for its leading role on a European and international level through the coordination since 2016 of the WHO European Action Network on Reducing Marketing Pressure to Children, as well as taking part in WHO and EU networks and projects that boost multi-sector cooperation to fight obesity and promote healthier diet choices.

Launched in 2018, the prestigious United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) awards recognise excellence in multi-sector action to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. Set up the Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2013, the UNIATF assists Governments in developing and adopting multi-sector action, offers technical support, and mobilises resources to fight such diseases.

In 2025, the awards recognise the efforts undertaken by the Governments and their partners in preventing and controlling obesity, one of the main public health challenges worldwide.

The award was given to the Secretary of State for Health Ana Povo on 25 September during an event on the side of the United Nations General Assembly.