The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and the United Nations Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) on Thursday inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here to reduce three million illiterate children in Southeast Asia.
"This huge figure is something we've to look at seriously. We will work together to address children illiteracy in the region," Malaysian national news agency Bernama quoted SEAMEO president Bambang Sudibyo as saying.
The MoU, signed to renew the old one inked in Bangkok in 1975, also aims to further strengthen cooperation in the education sector among member states.
The MoU was signed by UNESCO director-general Koichiro Matsuura and SEAMEO Secretariat director Ahamad Sipon at the 43rd SEAMEO Council Conference and the Third ASEAN Education Ministers' Meeting.
More than 500 participants from member states are attending the three-day conference.
Meanwhile, the conference has appointed Malaysia's Education Minister as the new president of the council and Thailand's Education Minister as vice-president for a one-year term.
SEAMEO was established on Nov. 30, 1965 as a chartered international organization with 11 member states to promote cooperation in education, science and culture in the Southeast Asian region.
The conference was last held in Bali, Indonesia last year.
Source:Xinhua
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