In 2022, the ASEM Education Secretariat (AES) worked closely with the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) to organise the Intermediate Senior Officials Meeting (ISOM) 2022 which took place on 24th and 25th November in St. Julian’s, Malta.

The focus of the ISOM 2022 was on the implementation of the ASEM Education Vision and Strategy 2030. During this event, the participants discussed topics of utmost importance from the Global and Regional Conventions in ASEM area, through the policies and practices working towards SDGs, to lifelong learning approaches and flexible learning pathways. ISOM participants also had the opportunity to share their insights and thoughts on how improve mobility, quality assurance and recognition in the education field by taking part in dynamic workshops. Moreover, they discussed new Expert Groups, and the existing ones will be reviewed with the intention to make the ASEM Education Process as inclusive as possible.

The AES invited Senior Official from Ministries of Education in ASEM Partner Countries to participate in ISOM22. ASEM Head of Secretariat Mr Luca Lantero and MFHEA CEO Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri welcomed the participants in Malta on Thursday 24^th November. Hon. Dr Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation​, thanked the organisers for this conference which encourages discussions about current issues in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Education Secretariat is currently hosted by Italy as ASEM Education Secretariat (AES) for the next four years (2022-2026) with the aim to act as a bridge for increasingly closer cooperation between Asia and Europe in the Education sector. AES is committed to boosting dialogue among ASEM country partners and paving the path to the launch of new mutually enriching initiatives and projects. The goal of the AES is “Bridging the Continents – Connecting the People”.

Group Photo of ISOM Participants 2022.