On the outcomes of Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit: Accelerating Collaboration and Commitment in Southeast Asian Countries to Advance Human Capital Development and Food Systems Transformation

Siem Reap, Cambodia – November 20, 2024 – The Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit concluded today, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to enhance child nutrition and education. This first Summit of its kind in the region, co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia, with the governments of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, under the umbrella of the Global School Meals Coalition, brought together 130 delegates from seven countries in the region and 39 partner organizations.

While Governments in Southeast Asia have made significant progress in developing school meal policies, allocating national budgets, and launching large-scale innovative programmes that leverage local food systems, further actions are needed to improve the quality and coverage to ensure that no child is left behind. 

The Summit underscored the transformative potential of school meal programmes to advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including child nutrition, education, and local agriculture, while addressing pressing global challenges like climate change and food system resilience. Governments emphasized the importance of robust evidence to guide policymaking, such as impact evaluations, costing analyses, and return-on-investment studies, to strengthen advocacy and stimulate political will. 

Policy priorities focused on cross-sectoral collaboration, localization, and the integration of nutrition standards.  Particular emphasis was put on calls for innovative approaches like climate-smart agriculture, clean cooking, and circular economies. Significant financial commitments were recognized, alongside a push for sustainable financing mechanisms, including blended and climate financing. This will bring scale and sustainability. The Summit closed with a unified commitment to collaboration, with the Philippines announcing to host the next regional summit and Cambodia set to request the ASEAN secretariat to consider its engagement with the School Meals Coalition. 

His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said: “In a world where education serves as the cornerstone for personal and societal progress, we must recognize that nourishment plays a critical role in this equation. School meals are more than just sustenance; they are a foundation for learning, growth, and transformation. When we prioritize the nutritional needs of our students, we are investing not only in their health but also in their cognitive development, academic performance, and overall potential.”

His Excellency Dr. Dexter A. Galban, Assistant Secretary for Operations, Department of Education, Republic of the Philippines, said: “We stand united in our commitment to our children, more so, their future. There is no greater calling than this because school meals aren't just about food. It's about ensuring that every child, no matter where they are born, has a chance to learn, to thrive and to dream big. Here, we have the solutions, the political will and are creating partnerships that transcend sectors, agriculture, health, and education. Our success depends on our ability to work together. We have more than tripled our investment in school meals in the past three years and have expanded our programme roll-out from 60 days to a full year for the first time. The Philippines remains strongly committed to enhancing school meals for children as co-chair of the Southeast Asian School Meals Summit Coalition. We will continue to serve hope."

His Excellency Park Jung-Wook, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea, said: “Today, the Korean government provides school meals to 5 million students across the country. It covers 100% among total primary and secondary school students.   Since the National Programme started in 1973, over the past 5 decades, it has been expanded from primary school to secondary school and improved in terms of standards of nutrition and hygiene. The enhanced procurement system of school meals led improvement of the local food industry as well.  On behalf of the Korean government, I would like to express my solidarity with the governments here today, their initiatives and programmes to support children with nutritious food and enhanced accessibility to education.”

Her Excellency Anita Hirsch, Deputy Regional Director Asia and the Pacific, World Food Programme, and representing the School Meals Coalition Secretariat, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to the three hosts of the Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit. The significant time and investment demonstrated by the countries represented here today are truly commendable. The impressive launch of Cambodia’s School Feeding Policy stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to enhancing child nutrition, education and agriculture development. The substantial efforts by the government of the Philippines in increasing the coverage of their programme is an example for other countries to aspire to.  The Government of the Republic of Korea’s support to other countries and knowledge sharing of their success in school meals programmes, has significantly contributed to achieving our mission to ensure school children are healthy and thrive.”

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports at info@moeys.gov.kh or +85512 625 538.