Insights from Manila, where the 11th Asian Development Bank (ADB) International Education and Skills Forum is taking place at ADB headquarters from 3–5 December 2025.
This year’s theme, “Applying a Fresh Lens to Unlock the Power of Human Capital,” reflects an urgent regional priority: ensuring education and skills systems evolve fast enough to meet the economic, technological, and demographic transformations ahead.
The International Education & Skills Forum serves as a regional platform bringing together government ministries, development partners, private-sector innovators, and global experts to exchange evidence, strengthen policies, and accelerate investment in human capital. The 2025 edition places particular emphasis on aligning education and training systems with rapidly shifting labour markets, enhancing digital and green competencies, and supporting countries in designing inclusive, future-oriented skills strategies. The Forum also highlights ADB’s commitment to working with partners to scale successful models, expand financing for education, and foster innovation that can be adopted across diverse national contexts.
A Region in Motion: High-Level Commitment to Education Reform
The Forum opened with compelling interventions from the Philippines’ Secretary of Education Juan Edgardo Angara and Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Both leaders emphasized the need for immediate, systemic change to prepare learners for shifting labour markets and emerging technological demands.
Their remarks framed a series of high-level spotlight sessions featuring Ministers and senior representatives from across Mongolia, Vanuatu, Tajikistan, Micronesia, Sindh Pakistan, the Marshall Islands, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Cambodia, and Nepal.
The collective message was clear: Asia and the Pacific cannot afford incremental change. Countries are seeking new approaches, new partnerships, and new solutions to elevate learning outcomes, strengthen skills, and modernize their education systems.
The ADB’s Expanding Role: New Scale, New Ambition
A pivotal moment came from ADB President Masato Kanda, who outlined the Bank’s expanding commitment to inclusive and equitable education.
Kanda highlighted several milestones:
- The Bank’s largest-ever education investment, an $846 million programme to modernize India’s Industrial Training Institutes, benefiting 1.3 million young learners.
- Mongolia’s creation of the first internationally certified green education facilities, achieved through innovative financing frameworks.
- ADB’s forthcoming initiative, “Big Bold Ideas for the Future of Education,” which will be supported by a new global advisory panel launching in 2026.
Crucially, President Kanda reaffirmed that ADB is entering a new chapter. Following reforms to its charter and the removal of the lending cap, the Bank is increasing annual financing by 50%, reaching over USD 36 billion per year, with education commitments expected to rise to USD 6.5 billion between 2025 and 2028.
For education providers, content developers, technology companies, and skills institutions, this represents one of the most significant future markets in the global education landscape.
Digital Learning, AI, and the Future of Skills in Asia-Pacific
President Kanda’s address paid particular attention to the transformative potential of digital learning and artificial intelligence.
His message resonated strongly with Worlddidac’s mission and the expertise of many of our members.
Key priorities highlighted include:
- Using AI to personalize learning pathways and improve student retention
- Applying analytics and data systems to support teachers and school leaders
- Developing industry-aligned, competency-based curricula
- Expanding tertiary and TVET systems to meet demand in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and green hydrogen
At the same time, he underscored the importance of preserving human critical thinking, ensuring ethical AI deployment, and addressing the digital divide — particularly in rural and remote regions.
ADB views digital transformation not as optional, but as a foundational pillar for future-ready education systems.
Worlddidac’s Strategic Role: Building Connections and Opening Pathways
In this environment, Worlddidac’s presence is not symbolic — it is strategic.
We are engaging directly with ADB senior staff, national ministries, multilateral organizations, and leading private-sector actors to present the strengths of our global network.
Our objectives are clear:
- Raise the visibility of Worlddidac’s global community
- Position our members as trusted partners for digital learning, TVET modernization, green skills, STEM education, and future-jobs training
- Explore pathways for procurement, partnerships, and project participation across Asia-Pacific
- Bring a global perspective to regional discussions on education transformation and workforce development
By participating, we aim to ensure that our members are well-placed to engage in forthcoming regional initiatives — from national reforms to donor-funded programmes and crossborder innovation partnerships.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Global Education Providers
The first day of IESF has been both inspiring and strategically promising.
The region is clearly moving toward large-scale reform, with a strong emphasis on:
- Digital and blended learning
- Skills for emerging technologies
- Climate-resilient and green education
- TVET expansion and modernization
- System-strengthening and governance reform
Worlddidac will continue engaging rigorously throughout the Forum and will provide members with a post-event briefing featuring highlights, insights, potential partnerships, and opportunities for future participation.
