Health and social welfare officials from 15 Pacific nations are meeting in Fiji this week to improve access to early childhood education.
The United Nations childrens' agency Unicef said the three day conference in Nadi will help make early childhood development more of a priority in the region.
It said ensuring all girls and boys had access to pre-primary education was one of its sustainable development targets by 2030.
Unicef said governments needed to invest in nutrition, stimulation and protection of children during their early years, so they could go on to lead healthy and productive lives.
