GUIZHOU, CHINA — For 14 years, the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW) has provided a platform for Southeast Asia and China to deepen education cooperation. As part of the tripartite arrangement between SEAMEO, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), and CAECW, SEAMEO continues to play a key role in advancing this cooperation on behalf of the region. In 2026, as SEAMEO marks its 60^th anniversary, the partnership reflects this evolving collaboration.

Under the theme of building a community of friendship through smart education, CAECW 2026 highlighted priorities closely aligned with SEAMEO’s regional agenda on advancing foundational learning, expanding access for learners beyond the reach of education systems, and promoting equitable and responsible use of AI in education.

A Relationship Measured in Substance, Not Just Years

The partnership now extends beyond annual participation into year-round cooperation. Led by ACC, the 6^th Southeast Asia-China Education Research Network (SEA-CERN) meeting and the inaugural Asia-Pacific Education Research Network (APERN) meeting brought together SEAMEO Member Countries to explore the re-establishment and inauguration of these platforms, respectively, with SEAMEO participating alongside Member Country representatives. Engagement also continued through the Go Study Global Education competition and collaboration with Harbour Education and four Chinese universities, advancing talent development and student exchange.

Legacy into Leverage

Throughout the week, Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim highlighted SEAMEO’s role as a regional platform that translates shared priorities into practical cooperation across its 11 member countries. In her keynote, “SEAMEO at 60: Legacy, Leadership, and Regional Impact,” she connected six decades of regional cooperation with the priorities ahead, including equitable AI adoption, teacher professional development at scale, and reaching underserved learners.

The SEAMEO 60^th Anniversary Forum further brought these priorities to life through discussions on foundational learning and teacher professional development, while youth and people-to-people initiatives strengthened connections between Southeast Asia and China.

As SEAMEO enters its seventh decade, CAECW 2026 reaffirmed the value of sustained institutional partnership in advancing shared education priorities across the region.

Appreciation to Partners

SEAMEO extends its appreciation to the Department of Education of Guizhou Province, the CAECW Organizing Committee, ASEAN-China Centre, Go Study Global Education, Guizhou Polytechnic of Construction, Harbour Education, participating universities, delegates and partners for their contributions.