The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional organization founded by the Ministers of Education in Southeast Asian countries. The establishment of SEAMEO was the result of a meeting between five Ministers of Education (Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam); Chairperson of the UNESCO Philippines National Commission; and Special Advisor to the President of the United States in Bangkok on November 30, 1965. As time went by, other countries in Southeast Asia began to join SEAMEO. The formation of SEAMEO is to develop regional cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture in Southeast Asia.

SEAMEO, whose center is in Bangkok, Thailand, currently has 11 Member Countries, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

To increase the scope and quality of its services, SEAMEO collaborates with countries and institutions outside Southeast Asia which are members of the Association (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, England and Morocco) and SEAMEO Affiliates (Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), British Columbia Council for International Education, British Council, China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) , and the University of Tsukuba).

SEAMEO collaborates with Member Countries, Associate Members and Affiliates to develop human resources (HR) capacity in Southeast Asia. In order to increase the effectiveness of its programs, SEAMEO established 26 regional centers and networks as an extension in the fields of education, science and culture in the Southeast Asia region with their respective specializations. Each regional center is responsible for developing human resources (HR) in Southeast Asia through seminars, training, workshops, conferences, courses, research and other continuing professional development programs.

Collectively, ministers from SEAMEO Member Countries form the highest body in the organization, namely the SEAMEO Council. The Council has the right to control the policies and administration of the SEAMEO regional center. Together, all regional centers work together for the progress of the Southeast Asia region.