Regional webinar explores how UNESCO frameworks can strengthen collaboration and qualifications recognition
Date and time: 28 August 2025 from 11:00 to 12:30 Bangkok (GMT+7)
Format: Zoom webinar
Target audience: Policymakers and higher education stakeholders based in Asia and the Pacific
Languages: English
The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok), in cooperation with the Bureau of the Tokyo Convention, will host the first session in a new Asia-Pacific webinar series focused on enhancing understanding and implementation of UNESCO’s recognition conventions in higher education. This session will unpack the benefits of both the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education and the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education (Tokyo Convention).
In a time of global uncertainty and transformation, the UNESCO recognition conventions offer robust frameworks for recognition of qualifications, enabling greater academic mobility, fostering collaboration, and supporting national development goals.
Transforming higher education is critical to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) as it plays a key role in strengthening education at all levels. It drives innovation, equity, and sustainable development.
Background
What are the UNESCO recognition conventions?
The Global Convention, which entered into force in 2023 and now has 38 States Parties, is the first UN treaty on higher education. It complements five regional conventions, including the Tokyo Convention for Asia-Pacific, which came into force in 2018 and has been adopted by 12 States Parties. Together, these frameworks facilitate the recognition of higher education qualifications through shared principles, transparency, and cooperation.
The Tokyo Convention helps countries in the region recognize qualifications more effectively, promoting lifelong learning, skills development, and employment opportunities.
About the webinars
This webinar is the first in a new series developed in cooperation with the Bureau of the Tokyo Convention, aimed at promoting cooperation on qualifications recognition within the Asia Pacific and increasing understanding of the Tokyo Convention and Global Convention in the region.
The Asia-Pacific webinar series will bring together policymakers to explore how national systems can better support recognition of qualifications for lifelong learning, skills development, and employment opportunities to serve national development goals. Following this first webinar, two webinars will be organised in September and October respectively, in the lead up to the sixth session of the Tokyo Convention Committee Session and the fourth session of the Asia-Pacific Network of National Information Centres (APNNIC) Plenary.
Objectives and agenda
This webinar is designed to facilitate a broad-ranging and interactive discussion on the UNESCO recognition conventions and will include opportunities for participants to provide insights and pose questions to the facilitators and panel.
It aims to:
- identify and explore key issues and challenges relating to qualifications recognition and the UNESCO recognition conventions.
- raise awareness and understanding of the UNESCO regional recognition conventions, namely the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education (Tokyo Convention), and the Global Convention.
- raise awareness and understanding of the role of national information centres (NICs) and NIC networks, including the Asia Pacific Network of National Information Centres (APNNIC).
- address common misconceptions about the UNESCO recognition conventions, their provisions, how they operate in practice, and how they are implemented.
- share reflections from countries around the world and discuss the strategic and practical benefits of ratification and implementation of the conventions in practice.
Why you should attend
Titled Capacity-building webinar for Asia and the Pacific – Session 1: How can the Global and Regional Recognition Conventions boost higher education mobility in Asia-Pacific?, this session will highlight how countries are leveraging these frameworks to enhance academic mobility, foster cross-border collaboration, and strengthen qualifications recognition systems. It will also showcase practical examples from national and regional contexts, clarifying how ratification and implementation can support more inclusive, transparent, and equitable higher education.
Participants will gain:
- Insights into how global and regional recognition frameworks can be applied to strengthen education systems
- Lessons from successful country experiences and regional cooperation
- A deeper understanding of the strategic and practical benefits of ratifying and implementing the conventions
- Opportunities to engage with experts and peers on overcoming common challenges in qualifications recognition
Programme
| 11:00 – 11:10 |
Opening and introduction – Ms. Marina Patrier, Deputy Regional Director and Chief of Education Section, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok) and Secretariat of the Tokyo Convention |
| 11:10 – 11:15 |
Overview: Update on implementation of the Global Convention on Higher Education – Ms. Leila Loupis, Programme Specialist, Section for Higher Education, UNESCO |
| 11:15 – 12:25 |
Interactive Panel discussion with Q&A from audience: Reflections on ratification and implementation of the UNESCO recognition conventions and the strategic and practical benefits
– Ms. Nadia Starr, Chief Executive Officer, South African Qualifications Authority, South Africa Moderator: Ms. Joanna Wilson, Director, Qualifications Recognition, Australian Government Department of Education |
| 12:25 – 12:30 | Wrap up: Ms. Joanna Wilson, Director, Qualifications Recognition, Australian Government Department of Education |