UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova speaks at the World Education Forum 2015, Incheon, Korea

19-21 May, Incheon, Korea
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova spoke at the opening of WEF 2015, which UNESCO is leading in collaboration with UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women and the World Bank Group. “We know the power of education to eradicate poverty, transform lives and make breakthroughs on all the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ms. Bokova in her opening address. “We have the collective duty to empower every child and youth with the right foundations – knowledge, values and skills – to shape the future as responsible global citizens, building on the successes of the past 15 years. And we must commit to giving adults the opportunity to keep learning throughout life to adapt to rapid change and foster social inclusion. This is not only a human right but an imperative for security, inclusive development and peace.”

The Forum brought together more than 130 government ministers, along with high-level government officials, Nobel Prize Laureates, heads of international and non-governmental organizations, academics, representatives of the private sector, researchers and other key stakeholders. The conference sets out a global roadmap for Education until 2030, and mobilizes all countries and partners to implement the new agenda, and propose ways for its coordination, financing and monitoring – globally, regionally and nationally – to ensure equal educational opportunities for all.