PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Monday hosted the first-ever Southeast Asian school meals coalition summit in Siem Reap province, aiming at driving human capital development and food systems transformation, said a joint press release.
The three-day summit, organised under the global School Meals Coalition, has brought together high-level stakeholders from Southeast Asian nations, alongside representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea, Xinhua news agency reported.
"It represents a crucial opportunity for Southeast Asian nations to collaborate on policies that promote children's health, education, and future potential through sustainable school meals initiatives, " the press release said.
"It aims to ensure that every child in Southeast Asia and beyond receives a healthy and nutritious school meal every day by 2030, " it added.
Currently, the Cambodian government, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, is supporting a national Home-Grown School Feeding program in almost two-thirds of all the target schools, with a commitment to reach 1, 114 schools, benefiting more than 300, 000 students by 2028.
Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron said the summit was a crucial platform for governments and partners to come together, exchange best practices, and reaffirm commitments to providing nutritious meals for young learners, thus leveraging the school meal program as a social protection instrument.
"This summit underscores Cambodia's dedication to nurturing human capital, fostering economic growth, and ensuring the well-being of children, " he said.
The summit's agenda included discussions on improving the quality and efficiency of school meals and nutrition programs, strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing sustainable financing mechanisms, and fostering multi-sectoral coordination.