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ADB will host the 11th edition of its International Education and Skills Forum themed "Applying a Fresh Lens to Unlock the Power of Human Capital" during 3-5 December 2025 at its headquarters in Manila. This year’s deliberations seek to enable education systems to respond quickly to transformational trends, and to better redress persistent challenges in the education and skills development sector. The event promises to be pivotal in raising awareness of complex and inter-twined changes influencing the course of education and skills development and shaping new directions for investments in education and skills that lead to enhanced development impact.
As the flagship event of ADB’s education sector group, the Forum will bring together key stakeholders in the Asia and Pacific region and beyond – education ministers, global leaders and experts that will help the education community strategize on new and rejuvenated approaches, investments and partnerships to unlock the full potential of human capital across the Asia and Pacific region.
The forum will revolve around 3x3x3 lens:
Three themes addressing transformative features to reimagine and rejuvenate education systems:
- Realizing the potential of digital transformation of education and EdTech at scale.
- Promoting green and climate resilience skills to serve priority economic sectors for inclusive and sustainable growth; and
- Unlocking the role of education and training for future jobs in multi-sector contexts such as health and elderly care, sustainable and high-tech agriculture, sustainable transport, clean energy and resilient water sector
Three dimensions addressing targets, standards and impact aspirations in education and training delivery:
- Enhancing quality, its measurement and monitoring including student learning assessments and jobs and employability results.
- Supporting inclusion and equity, including attention to newer dimensions of exclusion and disadvantage; and
- Building the future-readiness of education and training systems.
Three levels of education and training systems:
- Identifying new departures for investments in K-12 from early childhood education to senior secondary education.
- Channeling investments in technical and vocational education and training to deliver results in jobs, employability, productivity and competitiveness; and
- Accelerating developments in tertiary education and research and innovation in future oriented areas of science and technology.
From addressing learning losses and foundation skills, to the role of teachers and growing role of socio-emotional and career counsellors, to addressing needs of fragile communities and learners, to the role of skills in fostering economic growth and competitiveness for a sustainable and inclusive future, the Forum will apply new lenses, supporting stakeholders in shaping investments to demands of today and tomorrow.
Recognizing the growing importance of collaborations and partnerships to bring enhanced development outcomes in our partner countries, this year’s Forum seeks co-curation and co-financing of sessions. Please reach out to us if you are interested in co-hosting sessions at the 11th ADB International Education and Skills Development Forum! Email to SkillsForum@adb.org
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