Police General Permpoon Chidchob, Minister of Education, Thailand as the Chair of the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED) announces at the Press Conference after the 13th ASED Closing Ceremony

On August 26, 2024, at 12.30 p.m., Police General Permpoon Chidchob, Minister of Education, Thailand as the Chair of the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED), announces at a press conference following the closing ceremony of the 13^th ASED, together with Mr. Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Socio-Cultural Community, at the Press Conference Room, 1^st floor of Chang Arena Stadium.

The Minister stated that the meeting, held from August 23-26, 2024, in Buriram Province, Thailand has officially concluded and met its objectives completely. Education leaders from ASEAN member countries, ASEAN Plus Three (China, Korea, Japan), and ASEAN Plus Eight (China, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United States, Russia) gathered to share visions, exchange approaches for advancing education, and promote future human resource development under the theme “Transforming Education in the Digital Era.” This theme is crucial for developing essential skills for students to lead their lives and pursue careers. Thailand contributed to the exchange of educational views and promoted Thai education policies to ASEAN, such as the ” Happy Learning” policy, which focuses on empowering citizens to learn happily and improving the quality of life for teachers and educational personnel. Additionally, the policy aims to create equal educational opportunities and promote learning that is accessible anywhere anytime) to develop a digital technology ecosystem fostering a lifelong learning society. The policy also supports earning while learning and securing employment upon graduation (Learn to Earn), aiming to develop skilled personnel that meet labor market demands and address economic and social disparities.

The Minister also highlighted the success of the meeting, noting that, according to the survey, participants were highly satisfied with the overall hospitality and reception of the event, with 90% impressed by the unique venue at Buriram United Football Stadium. The most exciting activity for 95% of participants was the opening ceremony, which showcased Thai culture, including the food and welcome performances that demonstrated the collaboration and unity of the people of Buriram in creating this exceptional experience.

The next meeting, the 14^th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting, will be held in two years in 2026, to be hosted by Singapore. The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to all participants and the people of Buriram for their successful hosting of the event.

Furthermore, the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General expressed satisfaction with Thailand hosting this meeting and confirmed the endorsement of the revised ASEAN Plus Three student exchange and mobility guidelines and new era exchanges and mobility. Discussions included various educational projects conducted by ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN Plus Eight countries. Thanks were extended to ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN Plus Eight countries for their support in educational projects and scholarships related to ASEAN, with hopes for strong future educational cooperation amidst the shift towards digital education reform. The commitment to comprehensive, equitable, interconnected, and quality education for all remains. Congratulations were also extended to the Thai government and Ministry of Education for successfully elevating the standards of organizing the meeting for ASEAN member countries.