KUCHING: Emphasising the pivotal theme of “Prioritising Investment in Children in a Changing Region,” the 2nd Regional Social Policy Conference convened 250 participants from 14 countries across East Asia and the Pacific.
Organised jointly by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC) at Universiti Malaya, and the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, the event aimed to address pressing issues concerning children in the region.
During the opening ceremony at the Hilton hotel today (Oct 22), Dr Myo-Zin Nyunt, Deputy Regional Director of the UNICEF Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific, underscored the significance of the conference, especially as UNICEF marked its 70th anniversary of partnership with the federal government.
Dr Nyunt reflected on the progress made in Malaysia over the decades, yet acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating, “Despite the rapid economic growth in this region, emerging geopolitical uncertainties, the climate crisis, and demographic shifts continue to widen existing disparities.”
He emphasised the critical importance of inclusive social policies and investments in children, envisioning a society where every child can prosper and contribute meaningfully.
Dr Nyunt stressed the pivotal role of resource allocation by governments, highlighting how social protection programmes such as cash transfers, health insurance, and education subsidies are instrumental in providing children with access to essential resources and mitigating the long-term impacts of poverty.
The conference, officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, featured high-level discussions, expert presentations, and collaborative sessions to address the region’s evolving challenges.
Key topics included strategies to enhance investments in children, shock-responsive social protection models, gender and family considerations in social policies, financing sustainable child-friendly protection systems, and developing inclusive and age-sensitive social protection frameworks.
UNICEF, SWRC, and the Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining this momentum.
They pledged to continue generating evidence on child-specific indicators, enhancing local governance, piloting integrated social protection programs, and implementing other initiatives to ensure the well-being and development of children across the region.
