Mexico will host the 1st Latin American Summit on Investment in Early Childhood
- November 10, 11, and 12, 2026
- Mexico City
Event information
Mexico will host the 1st Latin American Summit on Early Childhood Investment 2026, which will take place November 10–12 in Mexico City. The summit will bring together countries from Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen the regional agenda in support of children under the age of 6.
Representatives from governments across the region will participate, including officials from the ministries of the Treasury, Finance, Health, Education, and Early Childhood Protection and Policy Coordination, along withinternational organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and specialized media outlets.
The Summit will be a space for dialogue, exchange and consensus building to promote actions that allow for a progressive increase in effective, equitable and results-oriented investment in child development , through quality services.
As a result, the aim is to move towards a Regional Declaration on financing for early childhood and national commitments that also contribute to the preparation of the 2027 Global Summit on Early Childhood.
The Summit will provide an opportunity to share evidence, experiences, and solutions developed in various countries across the region, as well as to identify gaps and common investment priorities. The goal is to move beyond assessments toward concrete decisions that will strengthen policies and services for early childhood.
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Background and context
How did we get here?
1. 2015 | Global Commitment
UN member states adopt the SDGs and commit to ensuring quality early childhood development, care and preschool education by 2030.
2. 2017 | Regional Agenda for Early Childhood
The Regional Agenda for Comprehensive Early Childhood Development was launched in Bogotá—an agreement designed to guide the strengthening of public policies and promote regional accountability.
3. 2024 | Second Regional Forum
The region meets again in Bogotá, where it reaffirms the Regional Agenda and consolidates five agreements: intersectorality and financing; quality of services; measurement of child development; collaboration and alliances; and inclusion and equity.
4. Today | Gaps persist
In Latin America and the Caribbean, millions of children still lack quality services; more than 40% of children live in poverty, and funding remains insufficient and fragile.
5. Act for Early Years | Global campaign
UNICEF and Theirworld are promoting Act for Early Years, supported in the region by Somos Crianza, to translate SDG target 4.2 into concrete, funded actions. The campaign will culminate in a Global Summit in 2027.
6. 2026 | Proposal for a Latin American Summit
Heading towards 2027, the Pact for Early Childhood proposed to the Government of Mexico, along with regional and international allies, to hold the 1st Latin American Summit to build consensus, commitments and a common position.
7. October 2026 | Preparatory Dialogue
Countries will exchange evidence, experiences and priorities to advance national commitments towards 2030 that are concrete, fundable, measurable and results-oriented.
8. November 10–12, 2026 | Latin American Summit
Governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society will meet in Mexico to discuss how to invest more and better, share solutions, and move towards national and regional commitments.
9. Expected Result | Declaration and Commitments
The Summit seeks to achieve a Regional Declaration on financing for early childhood and a matrix of national commitments.
10. 2027 | Global Summit
Latin America and the Caribbean will arrive at the Global Summit with a regional position and concrete commitments to turn declarations into funded and sustainable actions.
Program
Check out the full Summit program , including schedules, conferences, panels, roundtables, and participants.
