Plenary Session

The three-day conference comprised four (04) meeting sessions: the In-Camera and Plenary Sessions, the 7th Strategic Dialogue of Education Ministers, and the SEAMEO Special Session. The meeting sessions approved a total of 53 SEAMEO working papers and listened to several presentations delivered by invited organizations.

The SEAMEO Members also participated in the 7th Strategic Dialogue of Education Ministers (SDEM), which served as a key platform for sharing national best practices, reviewing regional priority areas, and strengthening a common strategic direction for SEAMEO. The theme of this dialogue was titled "Greening Education for a Sustainable Southeast Asia: Empowering Change Through Collective Action".

During the strategic dialogue session, Yang Berhormat Datin had the opportunity to deliver a speech in which she emphasized that the urgent climate crisis is impacting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ASEAN countries, where an alarming global shortage of green skills is projected to soar by 2030, highlighting the need for a skilled workforce to transition to a low-carbon economy. Yang Berhormat Datin called for a holistic integration of Green Education across all subjects, focusing on critical thinking, future literacy, and equipping students to innovate for resilient futures, while ensuring equity and inclusion through experiential learning. The Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam, has also developed a comprehensive Green Education Plan, aligning with national policies to cultivate sustainability-focused practices and behaviors. Yang Berhormat Datin concluded her speech by asserting that Green Education is an essential investment for a resilient economy, a healthy planet, and a just society, urging collective action and continuous collaboration.

The conference also witnessed the handover of the Presidency of the SEAMEO Council from His Excellency Juan Edgardo Sonny Angara, Secretary of Education of the Republic of the Philippines, to Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education of Brunei Darussalam, effective for a two-year term from 2025 to 2027.

Among the programmes held in conjunction with the Conference was a visit by the delegates to Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Sekolah Menengah Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna, highlighting the country’s initiatives in supporting green education at secondary education and higher education levels, followed by a cultural visit to the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.