25 September 2025

SEAMEO RECFON successfully convened its 15th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) on 22–25 September 2025, in a hybrid format both in Jakarta and via Zoom. The meeting brought together around 50 participants, including Governing Board (GB) Members and representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, the SEAMEO Secretariat, the Indonesian Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Education and Health of Brunei Darussalam, Universitas Indonesia, and SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia.

The 15th GBM aimed to review program achievements and discuss SEAMEO RECFON’s strategic direction, including the formulation of its Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) for 2026–2031.

In her opening remarks, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia, Ir. Suharti, M.A., Ph.D., highlighted the crucial role of SEAMEO RECFON in supporting education, health, and nutrition in the region.

“In the current time where many young people still suffer from stunting and wasting while at the same time more are becoming over and vulnerable to noncommunicable diseases. This Governing Board Meeting serves as a vital avenue to reaffirm our collective commitment to reflect and to plan on what we can do in addressing this issue through the work of SEAMEO RECFON,” she said.

She also emphasized the national Free Nutritious Meals Program, which has reached more than 20 million beneficiaries, and encouraged SEAMEO RECFON to continue supporting similar initiatives at the regional level.

Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP, highlighted that the 15th Governing Board Meeting was an important occasion to review flagship programs such as Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS), Early Childhood Care, Nutrition and Education (ECCNE), and Nutrition Goes to Workplace (NGTW), while also preparing the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2026–2031).

“Looking forward, this 15th Governing Board Meeting provides us with an opportunity not only to review our accomplishments from July 2024 to June 2025 but also to chart the course for the future through the preparation of our Fourth Five-Year Development Plan, ensuring that SEAMEO RECFON continues to serve as a Centre of Excellence in promoting optimal food and nutrition throughout the life course in Southeast Asia.”

Representing Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, extended his appreciation for SEAMEO RECFON’s contributions to regional development and human resource advancement. “I sincerely hope that the deliberations in the coming days will be fruitful, that the discussions will generate constructive insights, and that the outcomes of this meeting will further strengthen SEAMEO RECFON’s contributions to regional development and human resource advancement,” he said.

Mr. Emiljohn Columna Sentillas, speaking on behalf of the SEAMEO Secretariat, highlighted the GBM’s role as a bridge between SEAMEO Centers and member governments, ensuring collaboration to meet regional education and nutrition needs. He acknowledged the fast-changing global landscape shaped by technology, climate change, and emerging challenges, underscoring the need for SEAMEO to remain proactive and responsive. “May RECFON’s continuous provision of training and capacity building programs in advancing nutrition education be proof of this commitment,” he remarked, praising the Centre’s flagship programs for reaching and training more than a thousand teachers across Southeast Asia.

Over two days, the plenary sessions discussed 11 working papers, including updates on flagship programs, progress on the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan, financial reports, budget proposals, and new research collaborations. Key proposals included establishing SEAMEO RECFON as a cluster-based research centre at Universitas Indonesia and strengthening inter-centre collaborations in early childhood development and food safety. Marking SEAMEO’s 60th anniversary, participants reaffirmed their commitment to tackling nutrition challenges and advancing human capital development through evidence-based research and regional partnerships. The meeting concluded with a shared determination to implement the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan and scale up collective efforts to improve food and nutrition security in Southeast Asia.