Delegates from many states here for Seameo

Almost 100 delegates from more than 20 countries in Southeast Asia and beyond are expected to attend the event at the Grand Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok.

The three-day meeting will draw education vice ministers, undersecretaries, permanent secretaries, directors-general and other high-level education officials of Seameo member countries, associate members, affiliates and partners.

High on the agenda are issues such as education for sustainable development, disaster-risk reduction in education, and Education For All, a global movement led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. The education leaders are also expected to endorse the 10-year strategic plan for Seameo and the development plans for Seameo Regional Centres.

Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul is expected to deliver the opening address tomorrow morning.

Witaya Jeradechakul, the Seameo secretariat director and the leader of the preparations for the event, said yesterday: “The meeting of the Seameo high officials this year is crucial in setting the direction of Seameo for 2012. 

“We very much look forward to the discussions on educational issues that need urgent attention and concerted efforts of the member countries and partners.”

The High Officials Meeting is an annual event that serves as a forum for discussion on priority issues, review of proposals and presentation of accomplishments. The results of the meetings are submitted to the Seameo Council, the highest governing body of Seameo. The council members are the education ministers of member countries.

Brunei is chairing this year’s meeting, which is being organised with the cooperation of Thailand’s Education Ministry. 

The sixth Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Education and the Asean+3 Senior Officials Meeting on Education will also be convened back-to-back with the main meeting.