Paris (GNP): Global leaders, education ministers, development partners, youth representatives, academics, and private sector figures gathered at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris for the Transforming Education Summit +4 (TES+4), marking the midpoint between the original 2022 Transforming Education Summit and the 2030 deadline for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on inclusive and equitable quality education.
Organized by the UN Secretary-General and UNESCO’s Director-General as part of the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee, the summit assessed progress made since 2022 and identified urgent steps needed to address persistent gaps in learning outcomes and strengthen the resilience of education systems globally. Discussions highlighted that education systems worldwide are under mounting pressure from fiscal constraints, climate-related disasters, ongoing humanitarian crises, and the rapid rise of new technologies — particularly artificial intelligence — all of which call for renewed political will and fresh policy approaches.
Notable Participants
The summit drew high-profile attendees including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, more than 25 education ministers, representatives from international financial institutions, youth leaders, civil society organizations, academics, and private sector participants. Grammy-nominated artist Audrey Nuna, known for voicing Mira in K-Pop Demon Hunters, also took part, underscoring the role of youth voices in shaping the global education agenda.
Education Financing Crisis Takes Center Stage
A key focus of the summit was the deepening global crisis in education financing. As part of the event, UNESCO released new data and policy tools on education funding, including updated global investment figures and a technical guide on debt-for-education swaps — a mechanism designed to help governments redirect debt obligations toward long-term education investment amid tightening fiscal conditions. UNESCO noted that 113 countries, home to more than 6 billion people, currently spend more servicing debt than funding education, while low- and lower-middle-income nations continue to face an estimated $97 billion annual shortfall in education financing.
Looking Ahead
The summit reaffirmed UNESCO’s role in guiding the future of global education through stronger international cooperation, more resilient education systems, responsible use of AI in education, and sustainable financing approaches. Participants stressed that meeting SDG 4 targets will require coordinated global action, increased funding, and reforms led by individual countries to ensure all learners — including those affected by conflict, climate change, and economic instability — have access to quality education.
The outcomes from TES+4 are expected to shape the broader global education agenda beyond 2030 and support ongoing efforts to position education as a driver of sustainable development and peace. The summit also serves as a key milestone ahead of the 2027 Global Education Meeting, the SDG 4 review at the High-Level Political Forum, and the 2027 SDG Summit — all of which will help define priorities for the final stretch toward the 2030 SDG 4 deadline and beyond.
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Established in 1945, UNESCO is a UN specialized agency dedicated to building peace through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. Working with its 194 member states, the organization supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting equitable education, protecting cultural and natural heritage, advancing scientific collaboration, defending freedom of expression, and ensuring broader access to knowledge and innovation.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
