UN Secretary-General Calls for Stronger Global Action on Education

The United Nations Secretary-General has urged governments and international partners to place education at the centre of national policies and recovery plans, marking the International Day of Education.

In a message issued on the occasion, the Secretary-General stressed that education is a basic human right and a key pathway to opportunity, dignity and peace. However, he noted that about 272 million children and young people worldwide are currently out of school due to poverty, discrimination, conflict, displacement and natural disasters.

He called on governments, development partners and donors to increase investment in education and address long-standing gaps in funding, access and quality that continue to deny young people the future they deserve.

Highlighting this year’s theme, the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of listening to young people’s voices. He said their demands for qualified teachers, relevant skills training for a rapidly changing world, and fair access to technology must be taken seriously.

He concluded by urging global cooperation to build inclusive, resilient and innovative education systems that serve all learners.