The ASEAN Secretariat and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand will cooperate with the World Bank and UNICEF in organizing the ASEAN High-Level Meeting on Human Capital Development in Bangkok on 9th September, 2019. 

Amidst the challenges of inequality, competitiveness, digital transformation and disruptive technologies, there is a need to raise more awareness and bring the attention of nations on investing more in human capital development. As the emergence of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies change the skills and jobs in demand, the best thing governments can offer is to groom people to be lifelong learners who are ready to adapt, identify and adopt every unconventional opportunity and possibility that may arise along the way in life. The meeting shall hence focus on raising greater awareness and understanding on the importance of human capital development.

High profile policy makers and experts from ASEAN Member States, the World Bank and UNICEF, are expected to join the meeting and produce fruitful outcomes that could lead to interesting proposals on how people should prepare their next generation to cope with global uncertainties.

As the discussions shape, in the next few weeks, there will be a glimpse of what ASEAN and the international community has in mind. The nations shall soon have a guide to ensure that the workforce of tomorrow is healthy, have the right set of skills and mindset, and the chance to make their future bright and reach their optimum potential.

Thailand is also the Chairman of ASEAN in 2019 and the theme for this year is "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability". The ASEAN Member States realize that investing in the development of their human capital is an important part to build a sustainable future. Stay tuned for the updates from the discussion that will unfold on 9th September.

Image Credits: prnasia