QQI welcomes Ireland’s ambition to formally ratify the UNESCO Global Convention on the recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education

 
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) welcomes the announcement earlier this week by James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, that Ireland will formally apply to ratify the UNESCO Global Convention on the recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education (the Convention).

The Convention was adopted by UNESCO in November 2019 as the first international legal framework governing the fair and transparent recognition of higher education qualifications.  

There are currently 41 States parties to the Convention including Australia, Finland, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, with Slovenia being the latest country to ratify in May 2026. It is aimed that Ireland’s ratification process will be completed during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.

Commenting on the announcement Dr Lynn Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer of QQI, said: “We welcome Minister Lawless’ statement that Ireland will progress its long-held ambition to formally ratify the Convention. The Convention supports international recognition of qualifications through shared principles covering qualifications, prior learning and access to higher education. This directly aligns with QQI’s core vision that learners in Ireland can be confident that their learning experience is of high quality and that their qualifications are recognised and valued both nationally and internationally.’

She added: ‘QQI looks forward to supporting the Minister and working with colleagues in the Department to support the ratification process and engage with the consultation process that will be required’.