The event commenced with the presentation of the 2023 SEAMEO-Japan ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) Award. Administered by the SEAMEO Secretariat, this annual award has been a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan, and the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok since 2012. The objective of the award is to promote best practices in Education for Sustainable Development in schools and communities across Southeast Asia.

A total of 115 schools from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand participated in this year's competition, revolving around the theme "Promoting Environmental Education through Utilizing Renewable Energy." The winning schools were recognised not only with a prestigious plaque and certificate but also with a monetary prize. Notably, the first prize-winning school earned an extra privilege—an exclusive study tour to Japan in 2024 for the students and teachers involved in planning and implementing the school’s exceptional activities.

Category I: Schools with more than 250 students

• 1st Prize Winner: AL-Ya'Lu Superior Elementary School, Indonesia 
• 2nd Prize Winner: SM ST Michael Penampang, Malaysia
• 3rd Prize Winner: Rattanaburi School, Thailand

Category II: Schools with less than 250 students

• Special Prize Winner: Sekolah Kebangsaan Telok Ramunia, Malaysia

The SEAMEO-Australia Education Links Award (SAELA) stands as a beacon of collaboration between SEAMEO and the Australian Government Department of Education. This flagship program, initiated in 2013, is designed to provide individuals and educational institutions with opportunities to propose and implement projects, activities, or policy initiatives aligned with the annual theme. The aim is to foster cross-border collaboration and innovation in education.

For the current year, 39 educators and researchers from Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand enthusiastically participated in the SAELA initiative, focusing on the theme "Fostering Inclusion through Digital Technology." This annual platform encourages the exchange of ideas and the development of projects that contribute to the advancement of education in the region.

This year's standout awardee is Ms Nurul Aisyah, a Master of Business Administration student from Quantic School of Business and Technology, Indonesia. Her exceptional proposal, titled "weTeach: Empowering Education Equality in Rural Areas with Digital Modules and Artificial Intelligence Powered Assessments," earned her not only a prestigious trophy but also a monetary prize of AUD$10,000. Ms Nurul Aisyah's proposal exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to addressing educational disparities in rural areas through the integration of digital modules and artificial intelligence-powered assessments. The acknowledgment and support provided by SAELA validate the potential impact of innovative ideas in promoting educational equality.

The Southeast Asian Waste Hero Awards, hosted by the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Philosophy Economy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS) in collaboration with Indorama Ventures PCL and their esteemed supporting partners, represents a dynamic initiative to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding contributions to waste management innovation. This annual event has become a pivotal platform for recognising the champions driving positive change in environmental sustainability across Southeast Asia.

The scale of this year's awards programme was truly remarkable, with 126 entries in the school category, 111 entries in the teacher category, 242 entries in the student category (Grade 9-10-11), and impressive 456 entries in the student category (Grade 4-5-6). The robust engagement from schools, teachers, and students highlights the growing commitment to addressing waste management challenges in the region.

The distinguished winners, selected from this pool of dedicated participants, were recognised for their exceptional efforts with a coveted trophy, a certificate, and a well-deserved monetary prize. These accolades signify not only individual achievement but also the collective impact of their initiatives on advancing sustainable waste management practices.

School Category:

• Kindergarten and Primary Level: Sekolah Alam Pacitan, Indonesia
• Secondary Level: St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Malaysia

Teacher Category:

• Kindergarten and Primary Level: Ms Putri Rismantia, S T, SD Negeri 17 Talang Ubi, Indonesia
• Secondary Level: Ms Divina Gripon Garcia, Naguilian National High School, Philippines