11 September 2026 — SEAMEO RECFON successfully convened its 16th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) on 7–10 September 2026, in a hybrid mode centered in Jakarta. Bringing together delegates from 11 Southeast Asian member countries and key institutional partners, the meeting aimed to shape the strategic direction of regional food and nutrition for the 2026–2031 period.
Throughout the four-day event leading up to September 10, SEAMEO RECFON executed a comprehensive program. The core agenda centered on intensive plenary sessions to discuss and review various Working Papers (WPs), which were strategically complemented by a series of thematic side events and cultural immersions.
The official Opening Ceremony took place on September 8 at the West Nusa Tenggara Pavilion, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), delivered the initial welcome remarks, highlighting that the new five-year plan will emphasize translating knowledge into policy through its core flagship programs: ECCNE, NGTS, and NGTW. “Meaningful and sustainable impact cannot be achieved by one institution working alone,” she stated.
Echoing this collaborative spirit, Universitas Indonesia Vice Rector Prof. Hamdi Muluk noted that the Centre serves as a critical bridge for regional learning and evidence-based policy. SEAMEO Secretariat representative Dr. Pintip Lamnirath then praised the Centre’s learning systems and urged the board to incorporate a strong gender-mainstreaming lens into emergency frameworks.
Dr. Pintip, speaking on behalf of the SEAMEO Secretariat, praised the center’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems. Marking SEAMEO’s 60th anniversary, she urged the board to look toward future adaptations for shifting country contexts and recommended incorporating a strong gender-mainstreaming lens into the center’s emergency frameworks to protect vulnerable mothers and children.
Delivering the official opening address, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ir. Suharti, M.A., Ph.D., emphasized nutrition as a prerequisite for education. “If that child comes to class hungry, the full benefit of education will remain out of reach,” she stated, urging the Centre to support Indonesia’s upcoming Free Nutritious Meal program with localized menu guidance. She then officially opened the meeting, marked by a traditional Gendang Beleq beating ceremony.
A major highlight of the event was the ECCNE Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) showcase, featuring a community resilience and climate adaptation model developed in East Lombok. Governing Board Members welcomed the model, expressing eagerness to co-develop context-specific guidelines for their own countries. Delegates also connected with local heritage through a cultural visit to the Museum of Indonesia.
During the plenary sessions, the Board officially approved critical documents, most notably the 4th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) for 2026–2031, the Annual Report, and the Three-Year Budget Proposal. Furthermore, SEAMEO RECFON launched three policy briefs focused on micronutrient biomarker systems, ASEAN school nutrition adherence, and food-based dietary guidelines for Indonesian school-aged children.
Guided by its core values, the meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to driving actionable improvements in local community systems, policies, and the everyday lives of children across Southeast Asia.