SUVA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- About 500 education ministers and their delegations from around the world gathered on Monday in Nadi, the third largest city in Fiji, to attend the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (20CCEM) from Feb. 19-23.

CCEM is a series of high-level meetings gathering education officials from the over 50 Commonwealth countries to discuss key education issues in the context of climate change.

This is the first time the meeting is being hosted by a Pacific Island nation.

The theme of 20CCEM is "Sustainability and Resilience: Can Education Deliver?"

Fiji is currently holding the presidency of the United Nations climate change conference (COP23).

"Fiji is incredibly proud to stand as a leader among the Commonwealth as the first Pacific Island nation to host this important gathering," said Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

"We offer a fitting location for 20CCEM, and not just because of our global climate leadership. Fiji is in the midst of an education revolution," said the prime minister.

"We look forward to continuing this progress, sharing our learnings, and gaining new perspectives through collaboration with our fellow Commonwealth nations at this year's event," he said.

The outcomes of 20CCEM will be presented at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April.

The triennial Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) is the second largest meeting organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Ministers gather to share knowledge and good practices in the education sector, receive updates on actions achieved in CCEM mandates, as well as identify areas of action for the next three years for education in the Commonwealth.