site.btaBulgaria to Host Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Skills Summit in 2028, Deputy Minister of Education Says

Bulgaria will host the next Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Skills Summit in 2028, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Nikolay Vitanov announced at this year’s edition of the forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, according to a statement on the Ministry of Education and Science website.

The high-level meeting, held on April 27 and 28, brought together over 300 participants from 39 countries around the world under the theme Unlocking Talent Across Generations. At the forum, key policies related to the future of work, skills development, and the impact of digital and green transformation, including the role of artificial intelligence on the labour market, were discussed.

Vitanov participated in the high-level discussion on the development of skills policies following the previous OECD meeting. He presented Bulgaria’s progress on a number of policies related to improving teachers’ well-being and qualifications, raising educational results, working with vulnerable groups, and changes to the curriculum. Emphasis was placed on the competency-based approach, the development of STEM ecosystems in Bulgarian schools, digitization and the integration of artificial intelligence in education. Bulgaria is implementing consistent reforms at all stages of education, from early childhood development to lifelong learning, with a focus on better alignment with the needs of the labour market.

The second day of the meeting was dedicated to adapting education systems to new realities. Bulgaria presented policies for updating curricula with an emphasis on critical thinking, digital skills, and the practical application of knowledge, as well as the expansion of dual education in partnership with the business sector. Among the highlights was the role of teachers, the increased interest in the profession in Bulgaria compared to OECD averages was noted by the participants.

The meeting was also attended by caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Hasan Ademov and Deputy Minister Natalia Efremova. Participants in the forum were welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the Ministry of Education and Science.