The Education Sector at a glance

As the leading UN agency for education, UNESCO has a staff of nearly 1,000 colleagues in its Education sector, working at its Paris-based headquarters and across a global network of field offices, specialized institutes, centres and networks. The Sector is led by Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini.

UNESCO supports its education programme across the world through its 53 field offices in Africa, the Arab States, Asia and Pacific, Europe and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean, where specialized staff establish strong working relationships with governments, development partners and civil society.  

Category 1 institutes are an integral part of UNESCO and help countries in their work on a wide range of education challenges from policy to adult literacy.  

• The International Bureau of Education (IBE) (Geneva Switzerland): works to enhance curriculum development and reform. 
  • Report by the Council of the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) on the activities of the Institute for 2022-2023
• The International Institute for Education Planning (IIEP) (Paris, France, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Dakar, Senegal): helps countries design, plan and manage their education systems. 
  • Report by the governing board of the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) on the activities of the Institute for 2022-2023
• The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) (Hamburg, Germany): promotes lifelong learning policy and practice, with a focus on adult education literacy and non-formal education. 
  • Report by the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) on the activities of the Institute in 2022-2023
• The Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) (Moscow, Russian Federation): assists countries in the use of information and communication technologies in education. 
  • Report by the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) on the activities of the Institute for 2022-2023
• The International Institute for Higher Education in Latin American and the Caribbean (IESALC) (Caracas, Venezuela): promotes the development of higher education in the region. 
  • Report by the Governing Board of the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) on the activities of the Institute for 2022-2023
• The International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): focuses on teachers to help strengthen Africa’s educational institutions. 
  • Report by the Governing Board of the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity-Building in Africa (IICBA) on the activities of the Institute for 2022-2023
• The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) (New Delhi, India): specializes in research, knowledge-sharing and policy formulation for peace, sustainability and global citizenship. 
  • Report by the Governing Board of the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) on the activities of the Institute (2022-2023)
• The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) (Montreal, Canada): as the official statistical agency of UNESCO, the UIS produces rich, current data on education by working with ministries, national statistical offices and organizations. 
  • Report by the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) on the activities of the Institute (2022-2023)

UNESCO also works through its extensive global education networks including: 

• UNESCO Associated Schools Network – ASPnet, a network of over 11,500 ASPnet member schools in 182 countries 
• UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs, UNESCO’s network of over 830 higher education and research institutions in 110 countries 
• The UNEVOC network on TVET, hosted by the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Network (UNESCO-UNEVOC) 
• UNESCO Global Network of Learning cities promoting lifelong learning for all, hosted by UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UNESCO-UIL)

Category 2 centres are independent, privileged partners of UNESCO which contribute to the implementation of its education programme and raise its profile at country level in their different areas of excellence.   

• Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU). 
• International Centre for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (CIEFFA). 
• International Centre for Higher Education Innovation
  • Renewal agreement: English - Chinese
• International Centre for the UNESCO ASPNET (ICUA)  
• International Mother Language Institute (IMLI). 
  • Renewal evaluation - Draft agreement 
• International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED). 
• Office for Climate Education (OCE) 
• Regional Centre for Adult Education (ASFEC) 
• Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care and Education in the Arab States (RCECCE) 
• Regional Centre for Educational Planning (RCEP) 
• South Asian Centre for Teacher Development (SACTD) 
• Teacher Education Centre  
• Regional Centre of Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) 
• Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA)