ASEAN+3: Regional Learning Cities Conference

Livable & Smart Cities: Learning Our Way to Global Success!

Thailand is advancing towards becoming a ""Livable and Smart City"" through the use of science, research, and innovation, with the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU A) playing a key role in driving this vision. This initiative focuses on developing “Learning Cities” based on UNESCO’s concept, connecting growth from urban hubs to regional and rural areas, and enhancing quality of life through a learning ecosystem that promotes economic and cultural development while creating new opportunities for communities.

Since 2020, PMU A has supported the development of over 38 cities across the country through research, collaborating with national and international organizations such as UNESCO, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), and TK Park to build a sustainable and tangible learning network. In 2024, Thailand will host the ASEAN+3 Regional Learning Cities Conference on October 29-30, 2024, at the InterContinental Hotel, Bangkok. This event will unite Learning Cities across Southeast Asia to share innovations, exchange knowledge, and strengthen regional partnerships, propelling Thailand and the region toward sustainable global progress!

AHA MOMENTS

Training on Biosafety and Biosecurity Workshop

The 3-day training, the 4th session in a series on Quality Management Systems (QMS) in Laos brought together 40 medical professionals from hospitals and labs to enhance lab systems for ISO 15189 certification.

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Training on BSL 3 Workshop

This workshop, held on November 14-15, 2024 in Vientiane Capital, marked the final session of the QMS training series. It brought together 11 participants from various organizations to learn about managing Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) laboratories, which handle high-risk pathogens like tuberculosis and avian influenza.

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UNESCO - Learning Coin

The "Learning Coin for Equitable Education" initiative, funded by Thailand's EEF and led by UNESCO Bangkok, empowers students in five provinces: Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Nayok, Yala, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen to earn scholarships up to 1,200 Baht monthly by reading via the LearnBig app. This program supports marginalized youth, boosts family income, and inspires lifelong learning—turning reading into real opportunities!

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IANPHI - ACPHEED-BKK

The meeting aims to discuss the progress of establishing the ACPHEED Response Centre (ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases), exchange ideas and experiences with network partners, and strengthen collaboration to effectively address future public health emergencies.

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