JAKARTA, INDONESIA — Over 200 policymakers, senior government officials, researchers, academics, university leaders, practitioners, and development partners from over 10 countries gathered for the SEAMEO Centres Policy Research Network (CPRN) Summit 2026, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable, and sustainable education transformation across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The summit highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships and collective action in education. Hosted by SEAMEO CECCEP, the summit was co-organised with the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange Europe, Middle East, and North Africa, Asia and Pacific Hub (GPE KIX EMAP Hub), INOVASI, the School of Postgraduate Studies of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, SEAMEO STEM ED, SEAQIL, SEAQIS, SEAMEO RECFON, SEAMOLEC, and SEAQIM. The partnership with GPE KIX EMAP Hub, signed during CPRN 2026 signifies the start of a long term collaboration to advance knowledge mobilisation, policy dialogue, and evidence-informed education reforms across Southeast Asia and the wider EMAP region.

Under the theme “Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice: Pathways toward an Inclusive, Equitable, and Sustainable Future,” CPRN emphasised the importance of connecting research findings with education policy and practice on the ground. Through a series of sessions held over three days, participants engaged in rich and in-depth discussions on challenges, opportunities, and innovations in education and public policy. Strategic issues, including foundational learning, literacy and numeracy, teacher professional development, inclusive education, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, early childhood education, and education policy innovation were addressed in dialogues. The discussions also demonstrated a strong will to gear for evidence-informed decision-making and to build sustainable education systems.

The Summit featured more than 30 distinguished speakers representing governments, universities, international organisations, and regional institutions. The event was officially opened by Prof Abdul Mu’ti (Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Republic of Indonesia), and featured keynote talks from Prof Stella Christie, PhD, (Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia), Prof Gita Steiner-Khamsi (Columbia University), Prof Marek Tesar (University of Auckland), and Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan (Department of Education Philippines). Their presentations highlighted the urgency of strengthening the links between research, policy and practice to respond to rapidly evolving challenges.

As key outputs, the CPRN Summit 2026 will produce peer-reviewed journal publications, an edited volume published by an international publisher, and a synthesis of policy and practice recommendations that can be utilised at local, national, and regional levels.

In closing, Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat emphasized that educational transformation in Southeast Asia requires stronger integration between research, policy, and practice, with equity and inclusion as central priorities to ensure that vulnerable learners such as children with disabilities and marginalized communities can fully participate and benefit from education systems.

“As we move forward, let this Summit not be the conclusion of a conversation, but the continuation of a shared regional agenda. May the partnerships formed here, the evidence shared, and the ideas generated inspire stronger collaboration and actionable policies. Let us be bold in our aspiration but precise in execution.”

Prof Dr Atip Latipulhayat, SH, LLM, PhD, (Vice Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia) likewise emphasized that meaningful educational transformation can only be achieved through strong synergy among researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and development partners.

The CPRN Summit 2026 concluded with a renewed regional commitment among stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, deepen research–policy–practice linkages, and expand knowledge exchange to improve learning outcomes across Southeast Asia. The newly established partnership between SEAMEO and the GPE KIX EMAP Hub further reinforces this commitment, creating new opportunities for collaborative research, policy innovation, and evidence-based action that will benefit learners throughout the region and beyond.