BANGKOK, Thailand – The government is preparing to host the 29th ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting (ALMM) and related meetings in Bangkok, with representatives from all 11 ASEAN member states scheduled to discuss workforce development amid rapid changes driven by digital technology, the green economy, and aging populations. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced Thailand’s readiness for the meetings, scheduled for August 23 to 28 at the Dusit Thani Bangkok under the theme “Advancing ASEAN Human Capital: Skills Certification towards Global Recognition.” The discussions will address upskilling and reskilling across ASEAN’s workforce of more than 357 million people, as well as certification systems that can improve the international recognition of workers’ qualifications.
Thailand plans to propose an ASEAN skills-certification system that involves training curricula, occupational standards, and Centers of Excellence, under a three-phase framework running from 2026 to 2030. The country will also introduce a pilot ASEAN Digital Skills Passport to support the recognition and portability of skills and qualifications, helping workers respond to changing employment requirements and compete in the global labor market. The program will include meetings of ASEAN senior labor officials and labor ministers, as well as sessions with China, Japan, and South Korea under the ASEAN Plus Three framework. Representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, the International Organization for Migration, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the International Labor Organization will also participate in discussions on workforce development and regional responses to evolving labor-market needs. (NNT)
