Bangkok, Thailand – 29 November 2023 – The 46th SEAMEO High Officials Meeting took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 28-29 November 2023, bringing together esteemed High Officials and  representatives from Southeast Asian countries, Associate Member Countries, Affiliate Members, partners, and SEAMEO Centre Directors to discuss and collaborate on crucial issues in education. This event was held back to back with the launch of the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) 2023 Southeast Asia Regional Report on Technology in Education on 30 November 2023, which specifically focused on technology in Southeast Asia.

Notably, the SEAMEO High Officials Meeting was hosted by the SEAMEO Secretariat, where the Minister of Education of Thailand H E Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob participated. The minister, along with high officials from other participating countries, actively engaged in the gallery walk, interacting with exhibitors representing a diverse range of stakeholders from ed-tech start-ups, universities, to provider of mutual aid system for educational facilities.

The gallery walk provided a platform for fruitful discussions between the high-level representatives and exhibitors. Significant points revolved around innovative solutions, resilience in education, and the role of technology in bridging gaps during challenging times.

The SEAMEO High Officials Meeting, a crucial annual meeting, serves as a platform for member countries to discuss policies, share best practices, and explore opportunities for regional collaboration. Participants in the meeting include high officials from the ministries of education, senior education administrators, and representatives from relevant institutions and organizations.

Topics of discussion during the High Officials Meeting encompassed the strengthening of regional coordination mechanism and linkages with SEAMEO, as well as the implementation of SEAMEO Priority Areas.