UNESCO International Bureau of Education
UNESCO's oldest institute and the world's leading intergovernmental authority on curriculum transformation and quality education.
UNESCO-IBE – About Us (official site)The UNESCO International Bureau of Education (UNESCO-IBE) was founded in Geneva in 1925, making it the first intergovernmental organization exclusively dedicated to education and UNESCO's oldest institute. Originally an independent body, it was integrated into UNESCO in 1969 and is now designated a UNESCO Category 1 institute, serving as the global Centre of Excellence on curriculum and related matters including learning, teaching, and assessment.
The IBE's mandate, renewed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2021, positions it as UNESCO's global focal point and platform for knowledge, dialogue, and cooperation on curriculum. It provides tailored technical support and expertise to all UNESCO Member States, working with national and regional administrations to design and implement best practices for equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education.
The Institute operates at significant scale: it has trained and certified over 600 education ministry officials worldwide in curriculum transformation and maintains active field engagement in regions including West Africa, East Africa, and the Middle East. In 2025, UNESCO-IBE marked its centenary — 100 years of curriculum innovation, policy dialogue, and action for equitable learning.
Governed by an IBE Council of 12 members elected for four-year terms on the basis of competence and equitable geographical representation, the IBE combines intellectual leadership, operational support, and normative guidance, making innovations in curriculum design and education policy directly relevant to its core mission.