On July 23–24, the SEAMEO Secretariat convened its annual Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) in Pattaya, Thailand, to reflect on achievements, discuss emerging priorities, and strengthen regional cooperation. Present at the event were over 100 participants from SEAMEO's 26 centres and networks, associate and affiliate members, and various international education organisations. Dr. Qi Xinjian, Assistant Director of the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED), was invited to attend the meeting.

Dr. Qi presented on "Education for Sustainable Rural Development," sharing the INRULED's more than 30 years of research and practice in teacher capacity development, youth empowerment, digital technology, and gender equality. He also met with directors of several SEAMEO centres and potential partners to discuss turning shared experiences into replicable solutions that expand access to quality education for rural children, youth, and women.

The meeting created new opportunities for collaboration between INRULED and SEAMEO, with both sides committed to continued dialogue and translating cooperation into tangible results.