In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” in New York. It includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The adoption of the resolution is based on the goal of addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Among the 17 goals, Sustainable Development Goal 4 holds significant importance: ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Ensuring accessible quality education and lifelong learning for all means that countries taking relevant steps at the national level based on this resolution are expected to adhere to internationally established priorities:

To achieve the ambitious goals of ensuring quality education for all, global cooperation, clear policies, and significant resource allocation are essential.

UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank play a crucial role in efforts to reach these goals. These reputable international organizations provide policy recommendations, funding, and technical support.

Policy

UNESCO, as the leading organization shaping the policy for quality education accessible to all, develops programs to achieve this goal. In 2015, it adopted the Education 2030 – Framework for Action, guiding governments in translating Sustainable Development Goal 4 into national strategies. UNESCO also conducts global monitoring through the Global Education Monitoring Report, highlighting countries’ progress, challenges, and best practices.

Funding

UNICEF and the World Bank invest resources to support the implementation of educational initiatives in various countries. UNICEF focuses on funding programs that ensure access to education for vulnerable groups, including girls and children in conflict zones.

The World Bank, through the International Development Association, provides loans and grants for building schools, training teachers, and improving learning outcomes.

Technical Support

International organizations also provide technical and expert support to strengthen education systems. For example, UNESCO supports curriculum development, teacher training, and the integration of sustainable development into education systems.

UNICEF collaborates with governments to develop strategies for inclusive education.

The World Bank provides data analysis and policy advice to make education sector planning and management more effective.

These organizations create a global support system that enables countries to overcome barriers to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4. This collaboration ensures that countries have access to the tools, knowledge, and financial resources necessary to provide quality education.

How EU countries with leading education systems respond to the Education 2030 – Framework for Action in light of the efforts made by global organizations will be explored next.

Lilit Avagyan