The session will discuss interlinkages between education and health, spotlighting two dimensions gaining growing importance and requiring attention across Asia and the Pacific. The first part of the session will spotlight mental health and how education and health services can cooperate to support children and youth. The second part of the session will spotlight nutrition as a key area of cooperation between education and health outlining problems at stake in Asia and Pacific, and solutions that support children and youth to thrive.

As the world faces unprecedented population growth and the urgent need for sustainable, knowledge-intensive food systems, transforming agricultural education and research has never been more critical. This session will explore how global and regional best practices can be leveraged to develop tech-savvy “agropreneurs” and close the gap in high-tech, climate-smart agriculture through the proposed Global High-Tech Agricultural University Network (GHAN).

This session explores one of the most urgent challenges facing skills systems today: how to meaningfully match people’s real capabilities with rapidly changing labor-market needs. Despite major investments in training and education, many countries still face persistent mismatches, unfilled vacancies, and underutilized talent. On the other hand, investments in skills analytics keep growing, tools and diagnostics are offered to shape policies and inform actions. Does this translate in better matching?

As governments and industries push for a greener economy, questions remain about whether education systems are equipping learners with the skills that truly matter. This debate will explore whether green skills translate into more and better jobs, examining whether education should act now to integrate these skills or wait for clearer market signals.

As the world of work rapidly evolves due to digital transformation, AI, and shifting demographic trends, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems face increasing pressure to adapt. This panel discussion will explore the skills and strategies needed to make TVET systems future-ready. Experts from Asia and the Pacific will examine emerging challenges–from AI and Industry 4.0 to demographic shifts—and share approaches to strengthen skills ecosystems, enhance industry engagement, and accelerate green and digital transitions.

This session aims to explore how private sector innovation is reshaping inclusive vocational training to meet the evolving needs of industries and learners. Speakers from across Asia will share how their institutions are bridging skill gaps, aligning training with market demand, and improving employability for women, youth and low-income communities. Attendees will gain insights into scalable models, industry partnerships, and strategies that make vocational training more inclusive and future-ready.

This presentation introduced the EntreComp framework, highlighting how entrepreneurial competencies—such as creativity, vision, mobilizing resources, working with others, and learning through experience—can be developed alongside digital, life, and green competencies to strengthen innovation, sustainability, and lifelong learning in education systems.

This panel explores strategies for human capital development in emerging and critical technologies, including AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, and renewable energy. Panelists will share their countries’ initiatives and innovative models to equip the workforce with the skills needed for the rapidly evolving tech landscape, while ensuring sustainable financing. The discussion will highlight the role of education sectors and multilateral partnerships in preparing the next generation of talent to stay ahead of technological change.

This presentation examined capacity building models for system transformation, emphasizing teacher professional development at scale through principles of equity, quality, and efficiency, a six-pillar ICT-enabled framework for strengthening TPD systems, university-based teacher training and recruitment models, and data-informed analysis linking teacher development policies to student cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes to support continuous improvement across training, recruitment, and professional development stages.