On 27 to 28 November 2024, the 47th Southeast Asian Ministers of the Education Organization (SEAMEO) High Officials Meeting was successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand. On behalf of Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Deputy Director Liu Xiao of the Education, Culture and Tourism Division was invited to the meeting. High officials from SEAMEO member countries and representatives from the UK, Canada, Australia and other Associate Members and Affiliate Members of SEAMEO attended the event. 

Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Secretary-General of SEAMEO Secretariat and Mr. Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Deputy Minister of Education of Thailand delivered remarks at the opening ceremony. Dr. Habibah noted that Southeast Asian countries are standing at a critical juncture to shape the future of education, science and culture. The current reform will change the trajectory of our society. Education, as the driver of development, will empower individuals, foster social cohesion and fuel economy. It is hoped that this meeting can forge regional interconnectedness and strategic partnership, providing solutions to education equity and quality education for all among Southeast Asian countries and in each country. 

Mr. Surasak briefed on the educational development in Thailand and stressed that climate change, environmental protection and scientific transformation are the common challenges faced by all countries. He called for the SEAMEO member countries to work together to improve educational equity, reduce digital inequalities in the education system, cultivate high-quality talents that the market needs, and create a new educational ecosystem that is compatible with sustainable education development. 

Liu Xiao introduced the tripartite collaboration among the ACC, SEAMEO and Guizhou Provincial Department of Education (also the Secretariat of Organizing Committee of China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week) in 2024, and shared the ACC working plan in the education field for the 2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges. Representatives from each country introduced the policy implementation in priority areas and progress in their cooperation with SEAMEO, and had in-depth discussions on cooperation plans and priority areas in the next phase.