Education ministers from ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste arrived at a hotel in Langkawi on Thursday to attend the highly anticipated 2025 ASEAN Education and Higher Education Ministers Roundtable Conference (#EduRoundtables2025).
Delegations began to arrive starting from 8:30 AM, greeted by Education Minister Fadhlina and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry.
Performers dressed in traditional attire showcased Malaysia's multicultural heritage as this year’s ASEAN chair, presenting vibrant cultural performances as part of the welcoming ceremony.
Fadhlina delivered the opening address, marking the official start of the roundtable discussions aimed at strengthening regional education cooperation.
The roundtable kicked off yesterday with a forum themed “Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) Challenge,” focusing on sharing information about high-risk groups prone to dropping out or not enrolling in school, as well as issues related to educational exclusion, to enhance collective efforts.
In addition to ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste attending as an observer, representatives from various international organizations such as UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), and SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) participated in the forum.