Ukraine joins the countries shaping global education policy: outcomes of the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee for SDG4 meeting
For the first time, Ukraine has become one of the 12 countries serving on the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee for SDG 4 – Education 2030 (HLSC). This key global body coordinates international efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 — Quality Education (SDG 4). Within the Committee, Ukraine represents the Eastern Europe region together with Slovakia and the Council of Europe.
As part of this new mandate, a delegation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, led by First Deputy Minister Yevhen Kudriavets, participated in the inaugural meeting of the Sherpa Group of the High-Level Steering Committee for SDG 4, as well as in a G7 event on education financing.
“For Ukraine, it is important to be among the countries shaping global education policy. We consistently advocate for supporting access to education, especially in countries where this access is disrupted by war. Full participation in such international formats strengthens Ukraine’s voice at the global level and opens opportunities for new partnerships and investment to support Ukrainian education in wartime,” said First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Yevhen Kudriavets.
During the first meeting, Committee members agreed on the work plan and priorities for 2026–2027. The focus is on strengthening the resilience of education systems, which is essential for accelerating progress toward SDG 4 by 2030. Other priority areas include advancing the teaching profession, ensuring sustainable education financing, supporting foundational and lifelong learning opportunities, promoting inclusive digital transformation in education, and strengthening international partnerships in education.
The delegation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine also participated in a G7 event on education financing, where participants discussed mechanisms for mobilizing additional resources to support education systems, particularly in countries affected by war.
Ukraine’s participation in these international events contributes to strengthening cooperation with governments, international organizations, and expert communities. It also provides an opportunity to share Ukraine’s experience in ensuring the resilience of education during a full-scale war and to adapt global best practices to the needs of the Ukrainian education system.