NXPO recently took part in the First Meeting of the Expert Group on Human Resource Development (EGHRD), held virtually under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) on 21-22 August 2024. Hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka, the meeting was attended by Dr. Pranpreya Sriwannawit Lundberg, Director of International Policy Partnership Division at NXPO, representing Thailand, along with Senior Policy Specialist Dr. Soontharee Namliwal and Policy Specialist Mr. Parinand Varnasavang.
This expert group was established, following the Joint Statement of BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on 1 April 2021, to engage in policy discussions on human resource development and provide recommendations to high-level meetings. As the Lead Member State for the Science, Technology & Innovation Sector of BIMSTEC and the Technology, Health, and Human Resource Development Sub-sectors, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the BIMSTEC Secretariat, drafted the BIMSTEC Plan of Action (PoA) on Human Resource Development (2024-2029) and the Terms of Reference of the Expert Group. These drafts were circulated to EGHRD members for review and feedback. NXPO submitted comments and suggestions prior to the meeting. During the meeting, The Thai delegation presented Thailand’s strategies, policies, and national plans for human resource development, measures to promote regional cooperation, and inputs on the draft documents. Their suggestions were supported by the chair and members, leading to amendments on two key points: the composition of the EGHRD and the extension of the action plan from 2024-2027 to 2024-2029. Further discussions on implementation and evaluation will continue in a workshop scheduled for later this year in Sri Lanka.
