Asean, Timor-Leste education ministers arrive in Langkawi for regional roundtables
LANGKAWI: Education ministers from Asean member states and Timor-Leste, along with their respective delegations, arrived at the Langkawi International Airport on Tuesday (June 17) to attend the Asean Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables (#EduRoundtables2025).
The delegations, who began arriving as early as 10.30am, were received by senior officials from the Education Ministry (MOE), Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and the organising secretariat.
Among those who arrived are Timor-Leste Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, Brunei's Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Romaizah Md Salleh and Vietnam's Director-General of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Training, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy.
Also present were Deputy Secretary-General of Asean for Asean Socio-Cultural Community San Lwin and Myanmar's Director-General of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Ministry of Education, Dr Chaw Chaw Sein.
Throughout the three-day programme, the ministers and senior officials are expected to deliberate on a new framework that will guide the region's educational direction moving forward.
In addition to the closed-door Asean Ministers of Education Roundtable session on June 19, Malaysia's MOE will host the Asean Forum on Education on June 18 with the same theme, "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) Challenges.'
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek is scheduled to deliver her remarks on Thursday.
Besides that, the Langkawi Joint Statement on OOSCY: Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating OOSCY Challenges is envisioned as a key document that reaffirms the commitment of Asean Member States to accelerate efforts in reducing the number of OOSCY, particularly as the grouping approaches the 10-year milestone of the Asean Declaration on Strengthening OOSCY.
The joint statement aims to address critical challenges that have hindered progress towards inclusive education and to provide a guiding framework for advancing collective action through innovative and adaptive strategies.
For higher education, key items on the agenda include the expected endorsement of the Asean Leaders' Declaration on Higher Education and the Asean Global Exchange for Mobility and Scholarship (Asean GEMS).
Other expected milestones include the adoption of the Roadmap and Workplan on Common Space in Southeast Asian Higher Education, along with the Terms of Reference of the Steering Committee on Common Space in South-East Asian Higher Education.
Delegates will also take time to enjoy Langkawi's natural beauty with a visit to the scenic Unesco Global Geopark.
Malaysia, which holds the Asean Chairmanship for 2025 under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability,' hosted the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits from May 23 to 26 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
This marks Malaysia's fifth time as Asean Chair, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Korea set to launch nuclear cooperation project with Asean, says senior official
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: Tan Chin Tung, Natasha Busst, FMT Text Size: Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said the project aims to systematically support the readiness of Asean member states to introduce nuclear power plants. KUCHING: Korea is set to launch a nuclear cooperation project with Asean to systematically support the region's readiness to introduce nuclear power plants. Speaking at the 43rd Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy, Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said the project would include capacity-building training, policy workshops, and joint research endeavours, with further details to be announced at a later date. Advertisement 'This project aims to systematically support Asean member states' readiness to introduce nuclear power plants. 'This cooperation will transcend mere technology and institutional transfers. It will lay a solid foundation for Asean and Korea to develop a people-centred and sustainable energy partnership,' he said. Another new initiative Kim announced during his opening remarks was the transfer of the Korean electrical safety management system to Asean member states from the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation. 'This initiative aims to revamp Asean's electrical safety frameworks and bolster technical expertise through various cooperative projects,' he said. Since December 1997, Korea, China, and Japan have cooperated with Asean member states under the Asean Plus Three framework to promote comprehensive collaboration in areas such as energy, security, trade and investment, health, and finance. Japan's director of international affairs Yoshiomi Yoshino, also present at the event today, said it was necessary to leverage all available technologies and energy sources, including energy efficiency, hydrogen and ammonia, nuclear power, natural gas, as well as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, to successfully implement energy transition initiatives. 'We will also continue to participate in the Asia Energy Transition Initiative and Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for Asean to formulate tangible cooperation projects introducing various decarbonisation technologies, in line with each country's national circumstances,' he said. Li Yuan, China's deputy division director of the international cooperation department, also reaffirmed the nation's commitment to continued collaboration with the region under the Asean Plus Three framework, with a focus on hydropower, energy storage, nuclear and emerging energy technologies, green certificates, and green financing. 'We have seen a very fruitful outcome and deliverables under the framework of 10 plus three. 'We would like to continue playing an active role in the 10 plus three mechanisms for pragmatic cooperation on clean energy, so that we can contribute together to sustainable development and energy transition for our region.' Energy transition and water transformation ministry secretary-general Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli welcomed the collaboration between Asean countries and the East Asia giants, saying it provided a critical platform to bring together diverse perspectives, resources, and experiences. 'Within this context, our region's choices and cooperation will play a decisive role in the pace and direction of the energy transition. 'It is through such collective leadership that we can turn our shared vision into tangible outcomes for our countries, our communities, and our future generations,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sabah-Sarawak power grid link to be completed by year-end
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: Abdul Nasser (left) and James KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated interconnection of power grids between Sabah and Sarawak is expected to materialise by the end of this year, marking a critical first step towards realising the Borneo Grid and, ultimately, the broader Asean Power Grid. Energy Commission of Sabah (Ecos) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid described the development as 'the beginning part, the starting point' of the total Borneo Grid. Advertisement Speaking at the Energy Asia 2025 parallel session titled 'Energising Malaysia's Growth' held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Nasser said the grid linkage between the two Borneo states holds strategic value not only for Sabah and Sarawak but also for the region's future power integration. 'The Borneo future will be the Asean Power Grid connecting to other surrounding regions. The advantage, especially for Sabah, is our geographical position. We aim to capitalise on that to play a key role in the regional energy ecosystem - within and beyond Asean,' he said. Also speaking during the same session was Sarawak Energy Group Chief Operating Officer James Ung Sing Kwong, who confirmed the planned interconnection between Sabah and Sarawak. 'As Datuk Nasser mentioned, we are targeting to connect with Sabah by the end of this year, enabling both states to share energy resources across Borneo,' said James. He added that Sarawak Energy is also looking to build upon this connection by forging stronger energy ties with neighbouring Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia's Kalimantan region - moves that would help lay the foundation for a seamless Borneo Grid. 'This Borneo Grid will then form part of the Asean Power Grid through further interconnections from Sarawak to the peninsula and Singapore,' he explained. According to James, the broader vision is to build an integrated, cross-border energy network that facilitates the exchange of renewable energy and enhances grid stability across Southeast Asia. 'This is perhaps the bigger picture of what Sarawak Energy is aspiring to in the next 10 years - a truly interconnected Asean energy future,' he said. James also recalled Sarawak's earlier success in regional interconnectivity. 'In 2016, Sarawak Energy began interconnecting our systems with Western Kalimantan. Since then, we have been sharing approximately 100 to 150 megawatts of electricity regularly.' The Sarawak–Western Kalimantan grid link marked a milestone in regional cooperation, enabling cross-border electricity trading and setting a precedent for the future Borneo and Asean power networks. The Energy Asia conference, hosted by Petronas, has brought together top leaders, policymakers, and innovators to chart pathways for sustainable growth, decarbonisation, and energy security in Asia. The Sabah–Sarawak grid link is seen as one of the tangible progress points emerging from regional collaboration. With the Sabah–Sarawak grid interconnection on track for completion by year-end, both states are poised to enter a new era of energy cooperation - one that may soon extend beyond Borneo to power the broader Asean region. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
ASEAN Must Accelerate Inclusive Strategies To Tackling Out-of-school Children And Youth
Education director-general Datuk Azman Adnan delivers a speech at the ASEAN Education Forum themed "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating OOSCY Challenges," held in conjunction with the ASEAN Education and Higher Education Ministers Roundtable 2025 (#EduRoundtables2025) here today. LANGKAWI, June 18 (Bernama) -- ASEAN must accelerate inclusive and innovative education strategies in addressing the issue of out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY), said Education Ministry (MOE) director-general Datuk Azman Adnan. In his welcoming remarks at the opening of the ASEAN Education Forum held in conjunction with #EduRoundtables2025 here today, Azman described the issue as one of the region's most pressing challenges, and that the forum held to discuss the issue is both timely and necessary. 'Education is the foundation of inclusive development, and the heartbeat of ASEAN's future. Therefore, each child and youth left behind is a lost opportunity, not only for themselves, but for our nations' shared growth and prosperity. 'Across ASEAN, millions of children and youth are still unable to access education due to poverty, displacement, geographical barriers, and digital divides. It is now our collective responsibility to act with urgency, creativity, and resolve,' he said. Azman further said Malaysia believes that innovation must be at the heart of the strategies in tackling the issue. 'Whether through equivalency programmes, machine learning for early intervention, or public-private partnerships, we must reimagine our education systems to be more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready,' he said. As the 2016 ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Education for OOSCY approaches its ten-year milestone, it is imperative for ASEAN member countries to review the progress, strategies, and initiatives implemented to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness. The forum, themed 'Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) Challenges' is aimed at reinforcing collective efforts by allowing participants to share information on unreached groups at risk of dropping out or not enrolling in school, as well as issues related to exclusion. The forum provides a platform for discussing programmes and best practices that contribute to increasing access to education for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, as well as further fostering greater collaboration among ASEAN sectors, dialogue partners, and development partners to address OOSCY challenges through collective discussions.
