10th Meeting of GMS Working Group on Human Resource Development (WGHRD-10)

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The 10th Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Human Resource Development (WGHRD-10) was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 18-19 May 2011, co-organized by the Lao Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). A total of 89 participants (54% of which were women) from the 6 GMS countries, development partner agencies (bilateral, multilateral, intergovernmental organizations and regional academic and research institutions), resource persons, and ADB staff attended. The Meeting (i) reviewed the status of strategic projects under the GMS Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development for 2009-2012 aimed at strengthening subregional cooperation in education, labor and migration, health, and social development; and (ii) agreed on subregional HRD priorities that could be addressed under the new GMS Strategic Framework for 2012-2022. Heads of GMS delegations gave country statements summarizing the individual countries' recent HRD achievements, policy issues and emerging challenges, country assistance programs, and priorities for subregional HRD cooperation. Representatives of development partners shared their strategic priorities/current programs and reaffirmed their commitment to support subregional HRD priorities. Resource persons briefed the meeting on the progress of ongoing initiatives in the various subsectors of cooperation. The meeting recognized that the multitude of concerns and challenges that the working group tries to address involves multiple clientele and stakeholders and requires a multi-dimensional approach including cross-linkages with other sector working groups. There is need to continue work on communicable and non-communicable diseases and HIV/AIDS prevention, education and skills development and collaboration/networking among higher educational institutions, and social protection for migrant workers. Going forward, a new HRD strategy and action plan for 2013-2018 will be prepared, emphasizing a more program-based (as against project-based) approach and complementation with other regional programs e.g., ASEAN.