Social spending in the Asia-Pacific region remains low compared to the rest of the world, leading to slow economic growth in some countries and lack of protection for children.

That’s according to Christopher de Bono, UN Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Chief of Communication for the East Asia and Pacific region.

Governments from across the region have been meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to discuss ways to advance children’s rights in critical areas.

The meeting, named A Billion Brains: Smarter Children, Healthier Economies, also discussed ways to end violence against 80 per cent of children in 39 countries in the region.

Mr de Bono explained to Andita Listyarini why investments in early childhood are essential to a country’s future.

Duration: 4’44”