ASEAN Education Leaders Convene in Singapore to Drive Regional Education Agenda

Singapore is hosting the 14th ASEAN, 8th ASEAN Plus Three, and 8th East Asia Summit Education Ministers' Meetings from 22 to 23 July 2026 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. The meetings are held as part of Singapore's chairmanship of the ASEAN Education Sector from 2026 to 2027.

2. As the ASEAN Education Chair, Singapore welcomes education ministers and senior officials from across the region to exchange perspectives and strengthen regional education cooperation. The 14th ASEAN Education Ministers' Meeting (ASED) and Related Meetings are attended by delegations from all 11 ASEAN Member States, as well as representatives participating in the ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit meetings, and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.

3. Themed "Strengthening ASEAN through Education", the 14th ASED opened on 22 July with remarks by Singapore's Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee. Minister Lee also launched the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026 – 2030 together with fellow ASEAN education ministers. This work plan sets out the region's collective priorities to build inclusive, comprehensive, and transformative education systems. It focuses on developing well-rounded, resilient individuals alongside a highly skilled and competitive workforce, while fostering an ASEAN identity that embodies shared ASEAN values.

4. Under Singapore's chairmanship, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will organise signature programmes on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIEd), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education, and the holistic development of students. The Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education will also lead a regional research network to advance shared approaches to values education across ASEAN Member States, providing a platform for countries to share how values education is designed and enacted within their national curricula. Through these initiatives, educators and students from Singapore and ASEAN members states will have the opportunity to learn from each other and strengthen their friendships.

5. Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, His Excellency San Lwin, highlighted the transformative role of education at the opening ceremony: "Education is the foundation of ASEAN's future competitiveness, cohesion, and resilience. By investing in our learners and educators, we invest in a more connected, innovative, and inclusive ASEAN Community."

6. During ASED, delegates from ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners will visit Singapore's primary and secondary schools, and Institutes of Higher Learning, to gain a deeper understanding of the Singapore education system. Minister Lee will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts.

7. See Annex A for the list of participating countries, Annex B for the visits to our schools and institutions, and Annex C for the list of signature programmes.