Jakarta, 20 October 2026, Around 150 government representatives, early childhood development (ECD) experts, researchers, practitioners, development partners, and philanthropic organisations from across Asia-Pacific are gathering in Jakarta for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Regional Learning Forum on Early Childhood Development, taking place from 20 to 22 October.
Convened by the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) in partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Tanoto Foundation, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP), and Koalisi Nasional PAUD HI, the Forum is held under the theme “From Knowledge to Collective Action: Strengthening Climate-Responsive and Well-Financed ECD Systems in Asia-Pacific”.
The Forum brings together representatives from Indonesia and 15 other countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
The Forum fosters regional dialogue and collaboration by enabling participants to come together to share evidence, exchange country experience, and explore practical ways to strengthen ECD systems. Discussions focus on two closely connected priorities: building climate-responsive ECD systems and mobilising adequate, equitable, and sustainable financing for young children.
Young children are particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks, including extreme weather and disruptions to essential health, nutrition, care, and early learning services. Across the region, governments and partners are also exploring ways to sustain and strengthen investment in ECD amid diverse national priorities and resource constraints.
In her opening remarks at the Forum, Indonesia’s Secretary-General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ir. Suharti, M.A., Ph.D., highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to build a strong coalition for Indonesia’s children.
“One of the key policy initiatives currently under development is the introduction of one year of compulsory early childhood education, in line with the national priority of 13 Years of Compulsory Education. The Ministry’s other priority programmes include revitalising schools and early childhood education centres to ensure safe and adequate learning environments, as well as expanding the Program Indonesia Pintar (PIP), or Smart Indonesia Programme, to reach children at the preschool level,” Suharti added.
Evelyn Santiago, Executive Director of ARNEC, added: “The Asia-Pacific region is highly vulnerable to climate change, with countries across the region consistently ranking among the highest in the Climate Risk Index. Since 2019, ARNEC has been raising awareness about the impacts of climate change on young children. This Regional Learning Forum is a part of that long-standing advocacy. By bringing together national governments, researchers, development partners, philanthropies, teachers and child development workers in one room, we hope to translate the knowledge and experiences we already have into stronger, collective action for climate-resilient, responsive, and sustainably financed ECD systems.”
Over the three-day programme, participants will examine country approaches to climate resilience, financing strategies and regional cooperation.
Day 1 focuses on climate-responsive ECD and how to protect young children, and the services they rely on, from climate-related risks.
Day 2 turns to financing, including how countries can sustain and strengthen investment in the early years, and a dialogue between government representatives to exchange practical experience on mobilising and using resources for young children.
Day 3 looks ahead, with sessions on artificial intelligence and digital technology in early childhood and on children’s voices.
The Forum will also highlight the Act for Early Years Campaign, a global call to provide access to quality early childhood development, care and preschool education to all girls and boys. As part of the Campaign, the Forum will also encourage the signing of the Campaign’s “Minifesto,” which calls for greater attention to and investment in early childhood development. Any endorsements by government officials and participants will be confirmed after the relevant Forum session.
“Investing in young children requires sustained collaboration. Philanthropy can complement government efforts by supporting evidence generation, innovation and the institutional capacity needed to translate effective approaches into lasting improvements. We welcome the opportunity to learn alongside governments and partners across the region,” said Eddy Henry, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Tanoto Foundation.
Principal Expert Policy Analyst at the Directorate of Early Childhood Education (PAUD) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ir Harris Iskandar, Ph.D spoke about how Indonesia is strengthening ECD financing. He said, “Ensuring equitable access to quality early childhood education requires sustainable financing and shared responsibility. Indonesia continues to strengthen its financing mechanisms through government support, evidence-based planning, and collaboration with local governments, communities, and other stakeholders. Our priority is to ensure that available resources effectively support safe, inclusive, and quality early learning opportunities for every child.”
Prof. Vina Adriany, Ph.D Director of SEAMEO CECCEP, highlighted several priorities for strengthening early childhood care and education (ECCE) systems across Southeast Asia. These priorities reflect the Centre’s contribution to advancing the implementation of the ASEAN–SEAMEO Joint Roadmap on ECCE through research and development, capacity building, and regional partnerships.
Prof. Vina Adriany, Ph.D added, “Strengthening early childhood care and education systems requires us to address not only the quality of services but also the structural challenges that affect their sustainability and equity. Financing needs to be supported by a strong legal framework, reach children and communities equitably, and remain sustainable beyond short-term donor support. At the same time, climate change needs to be integrated into early childhood education through age-appropriate learning approaches that help young children understand environmental challenges and prevention.”
Further highlighting how the two issues connect, Dr. Irma Yuliantina, Coordinator at Koalisi Nasional PAUD HI said: “As climate-related risks intensify, adequately financed and resilient ECD systems are increasingly critical to ensuring that essential services for young children continue before, during, and after crises. Strengthening investment in ECD is therefore essential not only for children’s development and well-being, but also for building systems that can better protect young children in a changing climate.”
During the Forum, ARNEC will also launch its new 2026–2030 strategy, developed through consultation with global, regional, and national partners. The strategy will guide ARNEC’s work with the ECD community across Asia-Pacific.
“Countries across the Asia-Pacific region stand at a critical point where they cannot afford to continue with the status quo. Through shared learning, dialogue and partnerships, ARNEC and its partners aim to build momentum for practical, coordinated action so that more young children across the region can thrive,” added Evelyn Santiago.
For more information about the Regional Learning Forum, you may read the FAQs or check out the full rundown here.
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For more information, please contact:
ARNEC
Neha Khator, Communications Officer, ARNEC | [email protected]
Tanoto Foundation
Patrick Hutajulu, External Communications Lead | [email protected]
About the Co-Organisers
Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC)
ARNEC is a network that advances the agenda on and investment in Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 2008, ARNEC’s vision is to ensure that all young children in Asia-Pacific realise optimal well-being and development. It works with partners and members in promoting holistic and inclusive ECD. ARNEC provides a platform for its various stakeholders such as government and non-governmental organisations, foundations, academia, development partners, and ECD practitioners to share and learn from each other’s policies, research and programme practices.
Directorate of Early Childhood Education
The Directorate of Early Childhood Education is an organisational unit within the Directorate General of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Non-Formal and Informal Education (Directorate General of PAUD, Dikdas, and PNFI), under Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The Directorate is responsible for developing and implementing technical policies in early childhood education, covering child development, curriculum and learning, educational facilities and infrastructure, governance and management, and assessment. Through its work, the Directorate seeks to improve the quality of early childhood education services and support children’s optimal growth, development, and learning across Indonesia.
Tanoto Foundation
At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realise his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyse systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes. More information is available at www.tanotofoundation.org/en/.
SEAMEO CECCEP
The SEAMEO Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP) is a regional centre under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), based in Indonesia. Established on 25 July 2017, SEAMEO CECCEP focuses on advancing early childhood care and education and parenting in Southeast Asia through research and development, capacity building, knowledge management, and advocacy and partnerships. It works with governments, educational institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders to promote the well-being and development of young children and families across the region.
National Coalition for Holistic and Integrated Early Childhood Development
The National Coalition for Holistic and Integrated Early Childhood Development (PAUD HI) is a coalition that has been active for 17 years, bringing together organisations and individuals who share a commitment to advancing holistic and integrated early childhood development in Indonesia.
The Coalition promotes collaboration among government, civil society, academia, development partners, and early childhood development practitioners to strengthen policies, programmes, and practices that support young children and their families. It also builds and strengthens partnerships with organisations across the Asia-Pacific region and with local and regional non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to expand networks, share knowledge and good practices, and encourage collective action to support early childhood development.
The Coalition actively advocates for a holistic and integrated approach to early childhood development that encompasses education, health, nutrition, caregiving, child protection, and well-being. Through stronger partnerships, policy advocacy, and collective action at the local, national, and regional levels, the Coalition is committed to ensuring that every young child has an equal opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential.
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