Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, emphasized the importance of "human capital" as a pivotal driver for regional development during the opening of the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting. The meeting focused on upgrading skills and promoting certification to international standards to enhance regional growth.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patarasmi Thongslueykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that Mr. Charnvirakul chaired the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (29th ALMM and Related Meetings). Held under the theme "Developing ASEAN Human Capital: Skills Certification for International Recognition," the meeting stressed the importance of developing labor skills and establishing a reliable and internationally recognized skills certification system to boost employment opportunities, support labor mobility, and enhance ASEAN's competitiveness.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the theme of this meeting underscores ASEAN's collective commitment to developing essential skills among its population, ensuring that these skills are internationally recognized and trusted. With nearly 700 million people and a workforce of over 357 million, ASEAN possesses one of the world's largest human capital pools. However, the region still faces challenges, including gaps in access to education, skills development, technology, income opportunities, health, and social protection.
He further noted that the rise of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming work dynamics, with an increasing demand for digital, AI, green, and care sector skills. Skills certification is thus crucial to enable workers to reach their potential and be recognized across borders.
Charnvirakul emphasized that qualifications or skills acquired in ASEAN member countries should pave the way for workers to secure employment both within and beyond the region, promoting lifelong learning and labor mobility.
In Thailand, the government is implementing measures to create a skilled workforce for modern industries, connecting lifelong learning with tangible job opportunities through systems like credit banking and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
The Prime Minister outlined the Thai government's goal of providing all workers, including vulnerable groups, with opportunities to upgrade skills and secure stable incomes. He stressed the importance of investing in people to ensure they acquire the right skills for better jobs and incomes, extending this support to informal workers.
Charnvirakul called for enhanced cooperation among ASEAN member states to ensure qualifications and skills are comparable and recognized across borders. He encouraged participants to share experiences and best practices, translating discussions into meaningful collaboration and outcomes.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the ministers, representatives, and guests from ASEAN member states and partner countries for their participation, officially opening the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting.
The ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting serves as a ministerial-level cooperation mechanism for labor within ASEAN, held biennially to discuss and promote labor and human resource development policies. This year's meeting, hosted by Thailand's Ministry of Labour at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, aimed to advance accreditation of ASEAN skills training, standards, and Centres of Excellence. The event saw participation from over 350 attendees, including labor ministers, permanent secretaries, and representatives from ASEAN Plus Three dialogue partners (China, Japan, and South Korea), the ASEAN Secretary-General, and various international organizations.