Regional School Meals Event

School Meals Coalition 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Summit 2026

23–25 Nov 2026
Kids enjoying school meals

Overview

The 2nd Southeast Asia Regional School Meals Coalition Summit to be held in the Philippines builds on the momentum generated by the first regional summit held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in November 2024. Delegates adopted an Outcome Statement recognizing school meals as a priority for addressing malnutrition and promoting sustainable food systems in the region. It highlighted regional collaboration, evidence and learning, sustainable financing, and stronger partnerships to advance nationally owned school meals programmes.  

Building on this momentum, the 2026 summit will take stock of the progress made and further mobilize knowledge, practical learning, expertise, and regional cooperation to support the scale-up of school meals and sustainable investments. Specific attention will be given to the role of local governments and communities, and the contribution of local food systems in delivering sustainable, nutritious, and inclusive school meals.  

Summit Objectives

The Summit will aim to:  

  • Showcase progress and innovations in school meals programmes since the 2024 Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit, highlighting lessons learned and opportunities for accelerated action.  
  • Exchange policy and implementation solutions to strengthen governance, financing, monitoring systems, and localized delivery models of school meals programmes.  
  • Develop a shared regional agenda and roadmap for advancing sustainable school meals in Southeast Asia, informed by emerging evidence, country experiences, and regional priorities.  
  • Mobilize partnerships, investments, and regional cooperation among governments, development partners, financial institutions, academia, and coalition initiatives to support the expansion and sustainability of school meals programmes.  

Summit Format  

  • A three-day, high-level in-person event featuring ministerial engagements, plenary sessions, breakout discussions, exhibits and field visits. Interactive formats will include bilateral learning exchanges, fireside chats, and working groups to foster multisectoral collaboration.  
  • Target Participation: high-level participants from Southeast Asian central and local governments, academia, international organizations and regional bodies, NGOs, philanthropic partners and the five initiatives of the School Meals Coalition. Delegations will include multi-sectoral representatives.  

Resources

Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit
SMC Document

Outcome Statement: Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit

The Member States of the School Meals Coalition from Southeast Asia including the Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Republic of the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, together with representatives from Brunei Darussalam, the Republic of Korea and Singapore, and 39 stakeholders, gathered in Siem Reap from 18 to 20 November 2024 for the 1st Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit with the theme of “Accelerating Collaboration and Commitment in Southeast Asia Countries to Advance Human Capital Development and Food Systems Transformation.” This Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit built on the School Meals Coalition Global Summit held in Paris in October 2023. 

This document summarizes the outcomes of this Summit. 

Cover
Paper
Agriculture & Food Systems School Meals Policy Supporting Families

School Meals, Social Protection, and Human Development: Revisiting Trends, Evidence, and Practices in South Asia and Beyond

This discussion paper examines the evolution and effectiveness of school meal programs in South Asia and beyond. It provides evidence on their role in improving educational outcomes, food security, and social protection. It also highlights the role of school meals in promoting gender equity and supporting local agriculture.

 

Bundy DAP, Gentilini U, Schultz L, et al. School Meals, Social Protection, and Human Development: Revisiting Trends, Evidence, and Practices in South Asia and Beyond. World Bank Discussion Paper; March 2024.

Home-Grown School Feeding: Case Studies on Procurement and Financing
Report
Agriculture & Food Systems Economic Growth School Meals Financing

Home-Grown School Feeding: Case Studies on Procurement and Financing

This report analyses procurement models and financing strategies for home-grown school feeding (HGSF) programmes, drawing on four case studies from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Bolivia, Brazil, and Cambodia. It examines how these programmes are structured, financed, and implemented at national and municipal levels, and explores their role in improving nutrition, supporting smallholder farmers, strengthening local food systems, and advancing climate-friendly agri-food policies. Prepared by the Sustainable Financing Initiative (SFI) of the School Meals Coalition, the report highlights context-specific challenges and lessons learned to inform policy dialogue and future programme design.

Advocacy brief - food systems
Advocacy & Policy briefs
Agriculture & Food Systems

Advocacy Brief: School Meals and Food Systems

This advocacy brief positions school meals as a proven cross-sectoral solution that improves child nutrition, supports education, strengthens local economies, and promotes climate-smart food systems. It includes key messages, facts and figures, examples of government leadership, and clear recommendations for action at different platforms.