UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development
The UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development brings together ministers, youth leaders, educators, policymakers and international stakeholders in Nairobi to shape the next phase of Education for Sustainable Development and strengthen its role in building sustainable futures.
About the Conference
The UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development will take place from 13–15 January 2027 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The conference marks an important point in the implementation of the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 framework. It will generate renewed momentum for ESD and provide strategic guidance for the next phase of action.
Hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Kenya, the conference will bring together ministers, youth leaders and stakeholders from around the world for strategic dialogue on the future of education and sustainable development.
Key Themes
- Education for Sustainable Development and the next phase of the ESD for 2030 framework
- Green skills and the greening of education
- Digital transformation and its relationship with sustainable development
- Youth participation and youth-led action
- Educators and education systems as drivers of sustainable futures
- Climate change, biodiversity and other global challenges
- International cooperation, partnerships and knowledge-sharing
- Education beyond 2030 and future global development priorities
What to Expect
UNESCO describes the conference as an opportunity to reflect on progress under the ESD for 2030 framework and identify priorities for future action. The programme will include plenary and parallel sessions, with strategic policy dialogue involving senior representatives.
A ministerial roundtable will provide a dedicated space for high-level policy dialogue, while youth participation will be central to the conference and its discussions and outcomes.
Participants
The conference is expected to bring together:
- Ministers of Education and other high-level representatives
- Youth leaders and young change agents
- Government representatives
- Civil society organisations
- Academics and researchers
- Private-sector representatives
- International partners
- Education professionals and other ESD stakeholders
Strategic Objectives
The conference's objectives include taking stock of progress under the ESD for 2030 framework, examining emerging global issues and the role of education in addressing them, strengthening the role of youth and educators, fostering global networks and partnerships, and considering how ESD can contribute to the post-2030 agenda.
Expected Outcomes
- A global ESD stocktake covering progress from 2021–2026
- The Nairobi Consensus on Education for Sustainable Development
- Strengthened and expanded stakeholder networks
- Greater participation and visibility for youth-led initiatives
- Renewed commitments to scale up Education for Sustainable Development
Nairobi Consensus
UNESCO and an international advisory group are preparing the Nairobi Consensus on Education for Sustainable Development. The draft process is intended to build on the 2021 Berlin Declaration and help carry the ESD agenda towards 2030 and beyond.
UNESCO states that the final Nairobi Consensus is expected to be adopted at the World Conference in January 2027.
Programme
UNESCO currently describes the conference as an in-person programme of plenary and parallel sessions, including a ministerial roundtable. The detailed day-by-day programme has not yet been published.
Biskoon will update this section when the official programme and session schedule become available.
Registration
Registration to participate in the conference has not yet opened. UNESCO currently states that registration information will be announced through the official conference website.
Registration status: Opening soon
Location
Nairobi, Kenya
The conference is being hosted in Nairobi. UNESCO's current event listing identifies the location as Nairobi, Kenya; a specific venue has not yet been published on the official conference page.
Organizers & Partners
Hosted and co-organized by: UNESCO and the Government of Kenya
The conference is organized in partnership with Japan, with support from Germany and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP).
Official Contact
For conference-related enquiries, UNESCO provides the official contact:
Biskoon Editorial Note
The UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development provides a global meeting point for education, sustainability, youth participation and international policy dialogue. Its Nairobi setting also brings an important African perspective to the global Education for Sustainable Development agenda.
Biskoon lists this event as a Biskoon Editorial event for discovery and informational purposes. The conference is organized and hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Kenya. Registration and participation are handled by the official organizers.
Last verified: October 2026
FAQ
The conference will take place from 13 to 15 January 2027 in Nairobi, Kenya. UNESCO's current event listing gives the conference hours as 10:00–18:00.
The conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya. UNESCO has not yet published a specific venue or street address for the conference. Biskoon will update the event location when the official venue is announced.
The conference is hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Kenya. UNESCO identifies Japan as a partner, with support from Germany and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP).
The conference will bring together Ministers of Education and other high-level representatives, along with stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, the private sector and international partners. Youth participation will be central to the conference.
The conference will examine the future of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), including green skills, the digital transformation of education, social-emotional learning, youth participation, the role of educators and emerging global sustainability challenges.
The programme will include plenary and parallel sessions, as well as a ministerial roundtable for strategic policy dialogue. UNESCO also indicates that livestreaming of plenary sessions may be available, subject to confirmation.
Registration to participate will open soon. UNESCO has not yet published the final registration procedure. Participants should check the official UNESCO conference page for registration announcements and participation information.
Expected outcomes include a global ESD stocktake covering 2021–2026, the Nairobi Consensus on Education for Sustainable Development, strengthened stakeholder networks, greater empowerment of youth leaders and renewed commitments to advance Education for Sustainable Development.
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