Jakarta. Around 150 government representatives, early childhood development experts, researchers, practitioners, development partners and philanthropic organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Jakarta for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Regional Learning Forum on Early Childhood Development, held from October 20 to 22.

The forum was organized by the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Tanoto Foundation, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP), and the National Coalition for Holistic and Integrated Early Childhood Development (PAUD-HI).

Under the theme “From Knowledge to Collective Action: Strengthening Climate-Responsive and Well-Financed ECD Systems in Asia-Pacific,” the forum brought together representatives from Indonesia and 15 other countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

The gathering aims to strengthen regional dialogue and collaboration on early childhood development (ECD) systems through experience-sharing, collective learning and the development of concrete actions.

Discussions focus on two key priorities: strengthening climate-responsive ECD systems and mobilizing adequate, equitable and sustainable funding. Both are essential to ensuring that every child has access to quality, inclusive and sustainable early childhood care and education services.

In her opening remarks, Suharti, secretary-general of Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, said the ministry was working to build a strong coalition for Indonesian children.

“One of the key policy initiatives currently being developed is the implementation of one year of compulsory early childhood education, in line with the national priority of 13 years of compulsory education. The ministry’s priority programs also include revitalizing schools and early childhood education centers to ensure safe and adequate learning environments, as well as expanding the Indonesia Smart Program (PIP) to reach preschool-age children,” Suharti said.

Meanwhile, ARNEC Executive Director Evelyn Santiago highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s vulnerability to climate change.

“Countries in this region consistently rank among the most affected in the Climate Risk Index. Since 2019, ARNEC has been raising awareness of the impacts of climate change on young children, and this Regional Learning Forum is part of that long-term advocacy,” Santiago said.

“By bringing together national governments, researchers, development partners, philanthropic organizations, teachers and early childhood development practitioners, we hope to turn existing knowledge and experience into stronger collective action to build resilient, climate-responsive early childhood development systems supported by sustainable funding,” she added.

Over the three days, the forum addresses various aspects of strengthening ECD systems. The first day focuses on climate-responsive early childhood development and protecting children from climate-related risks, including through services tailored to their needs.

The second day examines sustainable financing, particularly strategies to maintain and strengthen investment in early childhood development, alongside exchanges among government representatives on mobilizing and using resources effectively.

The third day explores the future of early childhood education through discussions on artificial intelligence and digital technology, as well as the importance of giving children a voice in decisions that affect them.

The forum also features the Act for Early Years campaign, a global movement advocating access to quality early childhood development services, care and preschool education for all girls and boys. Through the campaign, participants are encouraged to sign the “Minifesto,” a call for greater attention to and investment in early childhood development. Support from government officials and forum participants is to be confirmed following the relevant sessions.

Eddy Henry, head of policy and advocacy at Tanoto Foundation, emphasized that investment in early childhood development requires sustained collaboration.

“Philanthropy can complement government efforts by supporting the evidence, innovation and institutional capacity needed to translate proven approaches into lasting improvements. We welcome this opportunity to learn alongside governments and partners across Asia-Pacific at this forum,” Henry said.

Harris Iskandar, a senior education specialist at the Directorate of Early Childhood Education under Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, also underscored the importance of sustainable funding and shared responsibility.

“Ensuring equitable access to quality early childhood education requires sustainable funding and shared responsibility. Funding for early childhood development should be viewed not as an expense, but as an investment in a country,” Iskandar said.

At the forum, Vina Adriany, director of SEAMEO CECCEP, presented several priorities for strengthening early childhood care and education systems in Southeast Asia. These priorities reflect the organization's contribution to advancing the implementation of the ASEAN–SEAMEO Joint Roadmap on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through research and development, capacity-building and regional partnerships.

Strengthening early childhood care and education systems requires not only improving service quality but also addressing structural challenges that affect the sustainability and equitable distribution of access. Funding must be supported by strong legal frameworks, reach children and communities equitably, and remain sustainable without depending on short-term donor assistance.

“At the same time, climate change needs to be integrated into early childhood education through learning approaches appropriate to children's developmental stages, enabling them to understand environmental challenges and how to prevent them,” Adriany said.

Highlighting the connection between climate resilience and financing, Irma Yuliantina, coordinator of the National Coalition for Holistic and Integrated Early Childhood Development, said adequately funded and resilient ECD systems were becoming increasingly important as climate-related risks intensified.

Such systems are essential to ensuring that critical services for young children continue before, during and after crises.

“Strengthening investment in early childhood education is therefore essential not only for children's development and well-being, but also for building systems that can better protect young children amid climate change,” Yuliantina said.

During the forum, ARNEC also launched its new strategy for 2026–2030, developed through consultations with partners at the global, regional and national levels. The strategy will guide the network's collaboration with the early childhood development community across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Countries across the Asia-Pacific region are at a critical juncture and cannot continue relying on the same approaches as before. Through collective learning, dialogue and partnerships, ARNEC and its partners aim to drive coordinated, concrete action so that more young children across the region can grow and thrive,” Santiago said.

Add as a preferred source on Google +