In calling the event, the specialized UN agency in education, science and culture issues set as a priority for discussions the need to prioritize recovery in the education sector, a year after the pandemic broke out.

UNESCO also called to address key issues such as reopen schools, support teachers, mitigate school dropouts and learn losses, and accelerate digital transformation.

The meeting will feature an opening speech by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, as well as messages from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization.

Statistics from the multilateral agency reveal that Covid-19 already interrupted schooling an average of 25 weeks, as of the total or partial closures of schools and classrooms, with greater impact in regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, and central and southern Asia.

Last week, the agency released a report that warns of the risk that more than 100 million additional children will fall below the minimum proficiency level in reading due to the impact of the pandemic.

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