A high-level delegation from Djibouti, led by Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, Mustafa Mohamed Mahmoud, participated in the 2026 Global Conference on Vocational Education and Training Development in Tianjin, China, from October 15 to 17. The delegation included three ministry officials: Ron Said Haj Ismail, technical advisor to the minister and Djiboutian director of the Confucius Institute; Duksiye Ould Duksiye, technical advisor for vocational training; and Amina Ali Mohamed, director of strategic planning for partnerships and performance in professional integration.
The conference marked a significant milestone in international cooperation in vocational education and technical training, shifting from exchanging experiences and implementing joint projects to establishing cooperation based on international standards, particularly through the dissemination of the "Beijing Agreement." This agreement represents the first international standard in the field, aiming to enhance cooperation in vocational education and technical training.
Djibouti's participation in the conference aligns with its efforts to strengthen international partnerships and develop its vocational education and training system, enhancing skills and aligning training programs with labor market requirements. Minister Mahmoud participated in two key events: a ministerial roundtable for the adoption of the "Beijing Agreement" and a symposium celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of the "Luban" workshop.
During the ministerial roundtable, Mahmoud reviewed Djibouti's national vocational training policy for 2021-2035 and the outcomes of cooperation with China in this field. He identified three key areas for developing the national system: enhancing graduate employability, strengthening partnerships between education and training institutions and the private sector, and upgrading the "Luban" workshop to become a specialized training and excellence center.
The "Luban" workshop, launched in Djibouti in March 2019, provides training programs for young people in strategic specialties, including railway engineering and operation, international trade, and logistics. Djibouti hosts the first "Luban" workshop in Africa, highlighting the importance of the Djibouti-China partnership in developing vocational education and technical training.
One of the conference's key outcomes was the issuance of the "Beijing Agreement," the first international framework for vocational education and training standards, initiated by China and jointly published by 45 countries. The agreement aims to improve training program quality, enhance cooperation between training institutions and companies, and promote lifelong learning.
On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Mahmoud made an official visit to Tianjin Vocational University for Railway Technologies to enhance Djibouti-China cooperation in vocational education and technical training. The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships and develop skills for young people in Djibouti.
Key points
- Djibouti's participation in the global conference aims to enhance its vocational education and training system.
- The "Beijing Agreement" represents a significant step in establishing international standards for vocational education and training.
- The "Luban" workshop in Djibouti provides strategic training programs for young people in areas such as railway engineering and logistics.
